Press Release

The Federal Trade Commission will begin its Hearings Initiative with two full-day sessions, co-sponsored with and held at the Georgetown University Law Center, on Sept 13 and 14, 2018. The Georgetown event will be the first in a series of hearings that will examine whether broad-based changes in the economy, evolving business practices, new technologies, or international developments might require adjustments to competition and consumer protection enforcement priorities of the Commission.

The Multicultural Cultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC)’s Board of Directors has named Maurita Coley Flippin President and CEO of the organization. Coley previously has served as Acting President and CEO of MMTC, as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and as Member of the MMTC Board of Directors. A former network executive, law partner, and nonprofit executive, she brings over 30 years of experience in law, business, and nonprofit management to the organization.

On Aug 21, the County of Santa Clara (CA), joined by 22 States and the California Public Utilities Commission, filed its brief supporting network neutrality in the ongoing litigation to protect the open internet. The brief attached testimony and an email thread from the County Fire Chief, Anthony Bowden, describing how—during the worst wildfire in California history—Verizon throttled the Internet connection of a critical emergency response vehicle .  “This throttling has had a significant impact on our ability to provide emergency services.

INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, filed comments at the Federal Communications Commission in response to the Public Notice requesting information for the assessment of competition in the fixed broadband market. INCOMPAS’ comments explain that in order to formulate policies encouraging broadband competition, it is necessary to have an accurate accounting of where there is and isn’t sufficient competition across America. As such, INCOMPAS is calling upon the FCC to reform its collection of broadband data via its Form 477 proceeding.

This situation has nothing to do with net neutrality or the current proceeding in court.

Tech industry leaders sent a letter to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo urging him to put forward a qualified candidate to serve as the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. In addition to advocating for open markets and fair trade policies, the Under Secretary plays a critical role as Ombudsperson for the US-EU Privacy Shield Framework, which facilities trans-Atlantic data transfers and is essential to almost every US industry. 

FirstNet Board Chair Sue Swenson and Vice Chair Jeffrey Johnson notified Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Redl of their resignation from the FirstNet board. Formal letters of resignation have been submitted to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

On Aug 17, Public Knowledge joined Common Cause, Center for Rural Strategies, and the Benton Foundation in filing comments with the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau in response to a Public Notice seeking comment on the state of fixed wireline competition. Public Knowledge contends that as the FCC prepares its first annual Communications Marketplace report in compliance with the RAY BAUM’s Act of 2018, the agency should measure fixed and mobile broadband as distinct -- and separate -- product markets.

In Sept, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will kick off its planned Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century.  The timing is auspicious.  Now that the FTC once again oversees the entire internet ecosystem, including broadband internet service providers (ISPs), it should pursue two overarching objectives.

The Trump administration's consideration of tariffs on Chinese printed circuit assemblies and connected devices would cost the economy $520.8 million and $2.4 billion annually for the 10 percent and 25 percent tariffs, respectively, according to a new study commissioned by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).