Creating Digital Opportunities for Communities of Color: Is IP-Based Broadband the Answer?
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Media and Technology Institute
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
8:30 am
Telephone companies are in the process of replacing their copper-wire plant with fiber or wireless plant for delivering signals to customers. These changes promise a higher capacity and more efficient communications network, one connected using Internet protocols, better known as IP. While a strong communications network is undoubtedly positive, this transition challenges traditional telecommunications regulation, much of which is grounded in authority that does not extend to an IP-based world.
To better understand the challenges with this transition, the Joint Center invites you to a special presentation by Jim Cicconi, Esq., Senior Executive Vice President at AT&T. Mr. Cicconi’s keynote talk will be followed by a panel of telecommunications leaders, policy experts, and advocates for a discussion on the new, digital communications system, its effects on communities of color, and the policy needed to make it work.
The impacts of the change to all-IP communications will be far reaching and will touch programs that have been especially important to communities of color, such as the Universal Service Fund. It is crucial to ensure that the views of these communities are part of the debate on the copper-to-fiber transition.
Introductory Remarks:
Ralph B. Everett, Esq., President and CEO, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Keynote Remarks:
Jim Cicconi, Esq., Senior Executive Vice President – External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T Services, Inc.
Panel Discussion:
- Telecommunications Leaders, Policy Experts, and Advocates moderated by
- John B. Horrigan, Ph.D., Vice President and Director, Media and Technology Institute, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
RSVP at JCIPBroadband.eventbrite.com by February 11, 2013.
For questions, please contact Alicia Durfee at (202) 789-3507
or adurfee@jointcenter.org