The National Broadband Plan: Early Reactions

I got mine!So, the National Broadband Plan arrived in its full, 376-page glory yesterday, and the reception has been largely positive.  I got my hard copy (see enthusiastic photo at left), and am just beginning to make my way through it, but my first impression is that Chairman Genachowski and his team succeeded in offering ambitious but achievable objectives in expanding high-speed access to all Americans at reasonable prices.

The overall theme of the report-- as I understand it-- seems to be the right one: the FCC is setting an agenda for clearing the underbrush and clarifying the rules of the road to allow innovation, investment and competition to do exactly what they've been doing for the past 15 years.  As Blair Levin said at Brookings today, "Crises are caused by failing to act in the interstices," and the FCC is showing admirable leadership in anticipating the crises of tomorrow, and beginning to figure them out today. Many of the Plan's recommendations are dedicated to gathering data, clarifying rules, and creating policies and mechanisms that foster healthy competition and experimentation.  It's this kind of "brush clearing" that will allow the world's innovators to work in concert to maintain our progress.

In the coming days and weeks, I'll be commenting more on the Plan, particularly its recommendations for the seven "national purposes"-- health, education, energy & environment, economic opportunity, government performance, civic engagement, and public safety-- as this is a blog (and blogger) that likes to focus on the intersection of technology and the world.  For now, here are a few early reactions that have come in from around town:

- POTUS can't get enough.

- FAQ&A with Post Tech.

- Tim Karr at Free Press points out some unanswered questions.

- Jonathan Spalter of Mobile Future has his own take on the unanswered questions.

- Last, Chairman Julius sits down with YouTube and its constituents: