Tuning in a new FCC

Re “FCC needs an upgrade,” editorial, Nov. 14

Your editorial made valid points regarding opportunities for improvement in the Federal Communications Commission. The current FCC is largely dysfunctional. President-elect Barack Obama will have the privilege of appointing a new FCC chairman, giving the Democrats a majority of three FCC commissioners.

Right out of the gate, the new chairman will have to deal with a potential train wreck when analog television broadcasts cease Feb. 19, 2009. Large numbers of Americans receiving free, over-the-air television may see their televisions go dark because of bungled transition plans and inadequate testing of converter boxes.

A practical policy enabling cable subscribers to purchase only the channels they want also should be a high priority for the next FCC chairman. So should elimination of the digital divide, which results in millions of Americans not having access to broadband technology, and net neutrality, which would require broadband providers to ensure equal access to all websites without degradation of service.

Under the Obama administration, Americans can probably look forward, once again, to an FCC that operates in the public interest.

Elliot Becker

Escondido

The writer is a former San Diego County cable TV commissioner.