USF reform and new spectrum are critical issues in the national broadband plan's goal to bring broadband to all U.S. residents, forum participants said. "If we're going to get serious about 100 percent broadband in this country -- if we truly believe that broadband is going to be the economic driver that takes us through the 21st century -- then we have to reform those policies that are currently in the way," Cicconi said.

Baker also called for the FCC to focus on making more spectrum available for mobile broadband, but she cautioned the agency against racing to meet a goal in the national broadband plan of find 500MHz for commercial uses in the next decade.

"If all we do is reallocate the easiest 500MHz to shift towards broadband, we have done future generations a disservice," she said. "Unquestionably, we need more spectrum, but I want us to focus on getting the right spectrum, the right way, and not merely the easiest way."

Despite the calls for the FCC to move on from the net neutrality debate, some speakers at the forum weren't confident that would happen,

Verizon Communications has filed a lawsuit over the net neutrality rules, and the rules provide for a complaint process to the FCC that may continue the debate at the FCC, said Christopher Yoo, a communications and law professor at the University of Pennsylvania.