FCC: Toothless Regulator or Cop on the Beat?

Federal Communications Commission:
Toothless Regulator or Cop on the Beat?

New America Foundation
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Does the FCC have the authority to enforce its Network Neutrality principles? Or to refashion the Universal Service Fund to promote broadband adoption? Or to protect consumer privacy and promote competition?

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals threw a huge legal roadblock in the path of the FCC's National Broadband Plan - and President Obama's promise to preserve a non-discriminatory, open Internet - with its ruling this month that the Commission lacks the authority to prevent cable giant Comcast from blocking certain peer-to-peer applications.

Consumer groups and many companies argue that the FCC should reclassify Internet access as a common carrier telecom service - and regulate it lightly but as needed. Internet Service Providers and free market advocates argue the FCC cannot and should not justify regulation under traditional common carrier principles and authority.

Featured Speakers

Hank Hultquist
Vice President-Federal Regulatory Affairs
AT&T

Harold Feld
Legal Director
Public Knowledge

Linda Kinney
Vice President, Law & Regulation
DISH Network

Barbara Esbin
Senior Fellow and Director
Center for Communications & Competition
Progress & Freedom Foundation

Moderator
Michael Calabrese
Director, Wireless Future Program
New America Foundation

To RSVP for the event:
http://www.newamerica.net/events/2010/fcc_debate

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

For media inquiries, contact Kate Brown at (202) 596-3365 or brown@newamerica.net.