What now for broadband and the telecoms?

[Commentary] Five questions for President-elect Barack Obama and the 111th Congress: 1) Will you set the goal of broadband access at 1 gigabit in every American home? 2) Why aren't telecom subsidies being directed to cover much-needed infrastructure improvements? 3) What steps should be taken to democratize the FCC's decision-making process? 4) Will you re-introduce and implement the parts of the 1996 Telecommunications Act that promote competition? 5) Is it time to break up AT&T again? And Verizon, as well?

And five proposals: 1) Broadband access at 1 gigabit for households. 2) Recoup subsidies to pay for infrastructure upgrades. 3) Democratize the FCC decision-making process. 4) Return competition to the telecom industry. 5) Consider breaking up AT&T and Verizon.