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Oct. 8, 2009

The Federal Communications Commission has endorsed two new CTIA initiatives today. However, it didn't add any details into the positive impact that it hopes it will accomplish for an open Internet, and the overall influence it will have on the wireless industry.

Meanwhile, Steve Largent, president and CEO of the CTIA also commended the FCC for supporting the industry's push for additional spectrum.

However, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski's keynote address at the CTIA annual meeting was interrupted by a mild audience applause when he promised the FCC will move forward with a shot-clock proposal designed to speed up the process of getting tower siting approval.

"These two efforts, on behalf of the FCC, will help the U.S. to continue to lead the world in wireless," Largent said in a statement. "We share the chairman's commitment to ensuring every American has access to the best wireless products and services in the world."

In addition to making some spectrum available for the newer 4G mobile broadband and speeding up the tower siting process, Genachowski said his mobile strategy for the FCC includes "fair rules of the road for an open Internet" and providing transparent information for consumers.

He did say that he fully understands the difference between wireline and wireless networks, saying "the last thing we want is heavy-handed and prescriptive regulation."

Genachowski also lauded AT&T for announcing it would allow Internet voice applications like Skype on the iPhone, as well as Verizon Wireless' partnership with the Android smartphone platform.

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Source: The FCC.