Fair Play? The State of Broadband Competition

Fair Play? The State of Broadband Competition

New America Foundation
Friday, September 28, 2012
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Fast and affordable broadband is essential to the productivity of business firms and public services, from branch banks and professional firms, to local health clinics and national retail chains. Competition in the business broadband marketplace drives innovation, investments in new technologies, and affordable services.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) dedicated an entire chapter of its National Broadband Plan to competition, and the current FCC chairman highlighted competition as a key issue in his agenda. But has the FCC lived up to its promise of fostering competition in this sector?

Join us for a discussion of the key issues facing the competitive marketplace today, including "last mile" access and advanced connectivity. Our panel will examine the FCC's record on these issues and consider the implications for future competition in the business broadband marketplace today.

Opening Remarks
Michael C. Copps
Former Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission (2001-2011)

Panelists
The Hon. Chip Pickering
Spokesman, The Broadband Coalition and Former U.S. Representative (R-Miss.)

Gene Kimmelman
Senior Associate, Global Partners and Former Chief Counsel for Competition Policy, U.S. Department of Justice

Todd Thibodeaux
President and CEO, CompTIA

Joseph Gillan
Consulting Economist and CEO, Gillan Associates

Moderator
Michael Calabrese
Director, Wireless Future Project, Open Technology Institute, New America Foundation

Lunch will be provided.

On Twitter? Follow @NewAmericaOTI for updates and use #BroadbandComp to join the conversation online.

To RSVP for the event:
http://newamerica.net/events/2012/fair_play_competition_in_business_broadband

For questions, contact Stephanie Gunter at New America at (202) 596-3367 or gunter@newamerica.net