Speech

In a speech at the National Press Club celebrating the 10th anniversary of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed a plan to dedicate proceeds from upcoming spectrum auctions toward a nationwide investment in digital, next-generation 911 services.

"As we develop the roadmap to 6G, we must remember several considerations," said Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks at ATIS' "Next G Alliance: The Roadmap to 6G" event. "First, many of the technical characteristics that will contribute to 6G’s performance could also produce security vulnerabilities...Industry and policymakers must ensure that security standards are baked into 6G, rather than bolted on.

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Executive Director Adrianne B Furniss announced the 2022 Charles Benton Digital Equity Award winners at The National Digital Inclusion Alliance's Net Inclusion 2022 event. "We are here to honor three people who have demonstrated commitment, innovation, leadership, and collaboration: the very skills we need to navigate us through very trying, interlocking crises—and to steer us to a more equitable, more just society," said Furniss.

"I’m grateful for the opportunity to update you on our progress as we prepare to launch these programs in a little more than 100 days," said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to the Senate Appropriations Committee in a February 1 hearing on expanding broadband access through programs established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

"Last year, Congress passed the [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act], which includes more than $42 billion in grants to states and territories focused on funding high-speed broadband deployment to households and businesses that currently lack access to these services," said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to the National Governor's Association. "States will soon have access to initial planning funds, which will help inform a five-year action plan. We need you to start preparing for this program now.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving next week, it’s appropriate to take stock and look to the future. I’d like to reflect on our nation’s progress on 5G and observe a few of the related issues facing us in 2022 and beyond. Since the first mobile deployments in 2019, US 5G service and adoption have steadily expanded. The [Federal Communications Commission] has played a key part in that growth, and we must ensure that it continues. But we must also draw lessons from that work, so we’re prepared for the days ahead.

We need to use this moment to build a foundation for new growth and new opportunity in the post-pandemic world. For this foundation, I believe we need to do two things: reinvigorate the momentum toward 5G and pave the way for 6G and beyond. At the FCC, we are focusing on five principles for delivering 5G that is fast, secure, resilient, and, most importantly, available everywhere in the country:

This year, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society celebrates our 40th year of protecting democratic values and championing a communications system that works for everyone. Our values of access, equity, and diversity remain the same. But we’ve advanced our mission with the times. We began as an institution focused on the public interest issues raised by emerging communications technologies and on championing long-term public policy solutions to address these issues.

At the Federal Communications Commission, we are focusing on five key principles to help guide our 5G future.