1. Monthly archive
  2. February 2021

February 2021

FCC Extends COVID Lifeline Program Waivers to June 30, 2021

In light of the ongoing pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau finds good cause to extend, on its own motion, its prior waivers of the Lifeline program rules governing documentation requirements for subscribers residing in rural areas on Tribal lands, recertification, reverification, general de-enrollment, and income documentation through June 30, 2021.1 However, the bureau declines to further extend the existing waiver of the FCC's Lifeline usage requirement beyond May 1, 2021. At the expiration of the current waiver period on February 28, 2021, the r

Spotlight on Commerce: Scott Woods, Senior Broadband Program Specialist, NTIA

I am a Senior Broadband Program Specialist with the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) BroadbandUSA Program promoting the expansion of broadband access across America. In my role, I manage the BroadbandUSA Technical Assistance Program and serve as a principal liaison between BroadbandUSA and key strategic partners and external stakeholder groups.  This includes representatives from state and local governments, telecommunications companies, for-profit and non-profit corporations and colleges and universities.

Progressives want President Joe Biden to go big for FCC chair. Does President Biden?

Without the fear of Republican obstruction, tech and public interest advocates have begun pushing for President Joe Biden to act quickly to fill out the Federal Communications Commission. They say the president has come at a "critical opportunity" to pick a "bold" choice. President Biden can go one of two ways to fill out the FCC. He could elevate Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to become the permeant chair of the agency, or he could nominate someone who would come in with the expectation that they would become the chair.

AT&T to distribute hotspots nationwide to expand student broadband access

School districts that serve vulnerable and disabled students in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and 24 other states will receive free Wi-Fi hotspots from AT&T and Connected Nation, a nonprofit that provides communities with broadband technology and support. Through a portion of a $10 million award from AT&T, Connected Nation will provide 124 school districts and community organizations with hotspots, data subscriptions and content filtering services, potentially providing internet access to at least 35,000 school-age kids who don’t have reliable internet access. 

Sponsor 

House Judiciary Committee

Date 
Thu, 02/25/2021 - 10:00

Related Headlines 
House Antitrust Subcommittee's three big ideas to take on tech power
Sponsor 

Lincoln Network

Date 
Thu, 02/25/2021 - 11:00 to 12:00

A fireside chat with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Nathan Simington and telecommunications expert Joel Thayer Attorney at Phillips Lytle LLP and Outside Policy Counsel for Lincoln Network.

The FCC’s agenda on broadband buildout and how the FCC’s policies will develop in the coming months with this new administration.


Sponsor 

Booth School of Business

University of Chicago

Date 
Thu, 02/25/2021 - 12:00 to 13:15

A discussion on whether and how market power could lead to political power.

Sarah Miller, Executive Director, American Economic Liberties Project


Sponsor 

Center for Democracy & Technology

Date 
Thu, 02/25/2021 - 15:00 to 16:00

As schools rely on technology and data to provide instruction amidst COVID-19, they continue to grapple with issues of privacy protection, responsible technology use, and digital equity. Our recent research found that twice as many teachers described edtech as “very important” during COVID-19 as they did prior to the pandemic, yet a third of parents and teachers reported increased concerns about student privacy during the pandemic.


Sponsor 

The Verge

Date 
Mon, 03/01/2021 - 14:00

Twenty-five years after it was signed into law, Section 230 is more endangered than ever. Republicans blame it for censorship, Democrats blame it for misinformation, and nearly everyone thinks it needs reform. But if policymakers aren’t smart about structuring reform, there could be broad, unanticipated consequences for free expression and commerce.

Keynote from Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) that broadly addresses her vision for reining in big tech, antitrust enforcement, and her new bill which touches on 230 reform, the SAFE TECH Act. 


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