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Obama Nominates New FCC Commissioner
Carriers pleased, though progressives worry about close AT&T ties...
The President has announced the appointment of Mignon Clyburn to the FCC. Clyburn is a commissioner on the South Carolina Public Service Commission and the daughter of Representative James Clyburn (D-SC), who has a history of voting against network neutrality. Clyburn brings some interesting expertise to the FCC, as before her stint as a South Carolina regulator, she was publisher and general manager of the Coastal Times, a weekly newspaper in Charleston, from 1984 to 1998. Verizon for one seems pretty happy with the pick:
quote:
"Commissioner Clyburn is a well-qualified candidate, and her experience will be a welcomed asset as the commission moves forward with the critical work of developing the right policies to achieve the full potential and benefits of broadband. We look forward to working with her."
The National Cable & Telecommunications Association also approves her "pragmatism":
quote:
We congratulate Ms. Clyburn on her nomination and look forward to working with her on the important issues before the FCC," said NCTA President Kyle McSlarrow. "As a long-time member of the South Carolina Public Service Commission, Mignon Clyburn brings an insightful and pragmatic perspective to the complex policy issues that the FCC is tackling in today's dynamic telecommunications environment. Ms. Clyburn's extensive experience with intergovernmental groups such as NARUC will make her an invaluable asset to the Commission."
Progressives are wary, however. Art Brodsky of Public Knowledge suggests that Clyburn has a history of being very cozy with AT&T, according to incumbent competitors in the Carolinas:
quote:
As one telecom attorney with experience in southern state put it, if a competitive carrier went to the South Carolina commission to argue that the sky was blue, and AT&T (the former BellSouth) argued the sky was purple, the PSC would rule in favor of purple. The Bell companies have an unrivaled story of success in the South Carolina regulatory system and legislature, as they do in many southern states.
The New America Foundation's (heavily funded by Google) Sascha Meinrath shares similar concerns:
quote:
The dominant feeling is that she is extremely tight with the telecom incumbents and that having her on the FCC will all but ensure a stalemate that will prevent any meaningful telecom reforms from being passed. To me, this seems strange since so many of us on the Technology, Media, & Telecom advisory committee during the campaign were looking forward to much needed and innovative reforms once the new FCC was in place.
Given the FCC already has the reputation of an agency that believes AT&T and Verizon (not the public) are their primary constituents, Clyburn may not bring the kind of progressive shift at the FCC many are hoping for. Of course the jury will remain out until new FCC boss Julius Genachowski sees Congressional approval, a full FCC gets stocked and seated, and the revamped commission starts showing us exactly what they're made of.

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