Remarks of FCC Chairman Wheeler at The Brookings Institution

It's pedal to the metal on broadband policy -- for both consumers and competitors. My message today is simple: the job of the Federal Communications Commission is to exercise its authority with both discretion and determination so that technology, competition, investment and consumer empowerment are able to work together to reach our nation's broadband goals. Broadband is the most powerful and pervasive network in the history of the planet. Suggestions that it be without fully effective oversight are unthinkable. But the kinds of oversight designated by the Open Internet order are a new regulatory model designed for new network times. I keep describing this oversight as a "referee on the field who can throw the flag."

As we push onward into the broadband future, our challenge continues to be assuring that the preconditions for broadband ignition are as widespread as possible. The best tools for accomplishing that are competition and consumer demand. So let's be clear. We're not going to let up on protecting and promoting broadband competition. And, finally, let's be clear. We should not and will not let up on our policies that make broadband more available. Converting universal service programs from their narrowband origins to broadband is amount our most important initiatives.