Julius Genachowski gave his first speech as FCC chairman yesterday, and I'm happy with it. He said:
blah blah blah the U.S. is doing better in one important category: broadband connections in schools – schools like this one.
Why are we lagging in many broadband categories but comparably better in linking classrooms?
Because we had a plan.
In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress enacted a program called the 'E-Rate' to provide discounted Internet access in schools and libraries. The FCC implemented the plan and our country has made real progress – though there’s much more to do in this area. blah blah blah
Two things I like:
1) He's holding up the E-Rate as a model of success.
2) Since there's "much more to do," it doesn't sound like he's planning to cut the E-Rate program.
So far, so good.
