Testimony of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin

TESTIMONY OF FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN MARTIN
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Senate Commerce Committee held a renomination hearing for FCC Chairman Kevin Martin on Sept 12. In his remarks, Chairman Martin said, "If reconfirmed, I would continue to make decisions based on a fundamental belief that a robust, competitive marketplace, not regulation, is ultimately the greatest protector of the public interest. Competition is the best method of delivering the benefits of choice, innovation, and affordability to American consumers. Competition drives prices down and spurs providers to improve service and create new products. Government, however, still has an important role to play. The Commission should focus on creating a regulatory environment that promotes investment and competition, setting the rules of the road so that players can compete on a level playing field. For example, high speed Internet access offered by a phone company should be treated the same way as high speed Internet access offered by a cable operator. Government also must act when necessary to achieve broader social goals. Thus, while I support eliminating economic regulations, I recognize that there are issues that the marketplace alone might not fully address. For instance, government should ensure that people with disabilities have access to communications in the same manner as all Americans, that people in rural areas, schools and libraries have access to affordable, current technology, and that the communications needs of the public safety community are met." Chairman Martin noted these achievements: 1) "I have made broadband deployment my highest priority at the Commission." "During my tenure as Chairman, the Commission has worked hard to create a regulatory environment that promotes broadband deployment. We have removed legacy regulations, like tariffs and price controls, that discourage carriers from investing in their broadband networks, and we worked to create a regulatory level playing-field among broadband platforms." 2) "When I first became Chairman, I identified public safety and emergency preparedness as another top priority. 3) "The Commission has taken a number of important actions over the past year to fulfill our statutory goal of ensuring that every person has equal access to this nation's communications services." 4) "The Commission remains committed to pursuing fundamental universal service contribution and distribution reform as needed."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267390A1.doc

* The NAB has endorsed the renomination of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6370977?display=Breaking+News