This is likely to be controversial, and the FCC plan suggests that it should have the power to force TV stations off unused spectrum if enough stations don't volunteer. The FCC would need approval to share auction revenues with broadcasters, and a handful of lawmakers have already questioned whether TV stations should give up more spectrum after turning over 108MHz of spectrum for the 700MHz auctions.

Although some pieces of the plan are likely to be controversial, broadband providers and consumer groups, often at odds over telecom policy, largely praised the plan Monday after the FCC released the executive summary.

“Now comes the hard part: achieving the vision articulated in this plan," Tom Tauke, Verizon's executive vice president for public affairs and policy, said in a statement. "Verizon will ... continue to work closely and cooperatively with the FCC and Congress to help meet the nation’s broadband policy goals. It is clear that virtually all of these important goals will be achieved through private investment."

Free Press, a media reform group often critical of the large telecom carries, also praised the broadband plan. The plan makes it clear that broadband is a "must have" public service like water and electricity, said Josh Silver, Free Press' executive director.

Free Press supports efforts to increase broadband speeds and help consumers afford broadband, but the hard part of the plan is ahead, Silver added.