Tenure As FCC Chairman
On June 25, 2009, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Julius Genachowski as FCC Chairman. Wired named “A New FCC” one of the “Top 7 Disruptions of the Year” after Genachowski announced plans to create the country’s first national broadband plan, reallocate spectrum from over-the-air TV broadcasters to meet demand for wireless usage, and pursue rules to preserve Internet freedom and openness.
According to an opinion piece by Genachowski, wireless providers increased wireless infrastructure investment more than 60% between 2009 and 2013 and the United States led the world in the deployment and adoption of 4G/LTE mobile broadband. A study by the ITIF made similar assertions. However, numerous press outlets subsequently questioned the findings. Businessweek called the U.S. a “wireless backwater” prior to 2008, while Genachowski praised the mobile industry for “America’s leadership in mobile” in 2009.
In terms of wired broadband, the Genachowski FCC reported that networks capable of 100 megabits per second passed less than 20% of U.S. homes in 2009 and over 80% in 2012, putting the U.S. near the top of the world in deployment of broadband infrastructure. This followed announcements of upgrade plans by cable operators in 2008. According to an opinion piece by Genachowski, American firms installed more fiber optic cable for high-speed broadband in 2011 and 2012 than those of any nation other than China, and more than all European nations combined.
Genachowski announced his resignation on March 22, 2013. He will join the Aspen Institute as a senior fellow.
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