New FCC may be partial to technology companies

Political observers expect a shift in power at the new FCC to favor high-tech companies such as Google over major telcos like AT&T and Verizon, who were favored by the Bush administration.

The Obama administration, said “Businessweek,” is expected to give greater prominence to emerging providers of communications products and services, such as those provided by companies like Google. These same companies recently won a major victory over the broadcasters and telcos in a unanimous FCC vote approving the use of white space spectrum for unlicensed wireless devices.

Obama’s Innovation & Technology Plan, which drew support from Google and includes pledges to protect the openness of the Internet, encourages diversity of media ownership and promises to build a nationwide wireless network for use by public safety agencies.