John Heilemann, writer of the Power Grid, and other features for New York Magazine, interviews Julius Genachowski about the work of the FCC since Genachowski’s appointment in mid-2009. On the docket are the discussion of a federal mandate of net neutrality, given what Genachowski calls a “seriously incorrect” ruling by the federal courts. He also hopes for a “universal broadband rollout” much like the 20th century copper rollout, given the need for “much fatter pipes” for American innovation to flourish.

Since his appointment, Genachowski cites the first release of unlicensed spectrum at 700 mHz for the next generation of wifi, the freed-up spectrum for mobile broadband, an incentive auction awaiting congressional action, and work on policies lowering the cost of broadband build-out, as well as on policies reforming the 8 billion dollar universal service fund.

In the 20th century, the FCC helped make the U.S. great through committing to universal telephone service and apportioning of the airwaves to broadcast entities. The digital age and cable have brought new options and expectations for communications. Since the 1990’s, when Genachowski worked at the commission in other capacities, the FCC has been trying to make prudent adjustments to our communications system to meet future expectations of openness, bandwidth, and universality of access, which calls for the careful rearrangment of our existing communications system.