Another Democrat comes out against FCC plan

The chairman’s proposal would change broadband service from a lightly-regulated “Title I” information service to a heavily-regulated “Title II” telecommunications service under the Communications Act. 

Genachowski plans to launch the effort this month, and sees it as a way to ensure the FCC has the authority to write net neutrality rules and expand Internet access. Genachowski would place broadband services under the same title as telephone services, but in a nod to broadband companies would strip from the FCC Title II the most onerous regulations, including price controls.

The maneuver follows an April appeals court decision that undermined the agency’s authority to act on key agenda items, including net neutrality.