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The honeymoon for the National Broadband Plan ended quickly.

More students should have access to online learning, and the federal e-Rate program should be more widely deployed and should embrace and encourage innovation, according to the National Broadband Plan.

After unveiling the National Broadband Plan, Federal Communications Commission members approved -- by a 5-0 vote -- a Joint Statement on Broadband which expresses the six beliefs the commissioners share.

Here are some of the highlights of the National broadband Plan that appear most critical to the telecommunications industry, based on a preliminary review of the plan.

As the head of the National telecommunications and Information Administration Federal Communications Commission, current Federal Communications Commission member Meredith Baker oversaw the creation of a 2008 report, Networked Nation, which looked at the policies and status of competition of broadband. As that report did, Commissioner Baker noted the light-touch targeted regulatory regime in both the Clinton and Bush Administrations.

Does the Federal Communications Commission have the authority it needs to enact major portions of the National Broadband Plan? Without a "cop on the beat," the fate of broadband consumer protection regulations such as privacy, transparency and emergency communications will be at risk, as will other initiatives to ensure great access to broadband and greater adoption of broadband by the disadvantaged.

Rep Edward Markey (D-MA) on Monday praised the Federal Communications Commission's forthcoming broadband report as a "visionary, far-reaching plan."

Beth McConnell, Executive Director of the Media & Democracy Coalition, issued the following statement.

Educators got a preview of the enhanced role educational technology is expected to play in the future of K-12 education during a webcast aired March 10, 2010.