The Rural Broadband Challenge and the Promise of 5G Technology

Moderator: Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General

• Stephen Bye, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, DISH
• Tom Power, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA)
• Aneesh Chopra, President, CareJourney, and former U.S. CTO (2009-2012)
• Gigi Sohn, Distinguished Fellow, Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy, Benton Senior Fellow & Public Advocate

This panel will address a variety of issues and questions surrounding Radio Access Network (RAN) technology and the impact of the rollout of the so-called "5G" wireless telecommunications technology. In particular, the buildout of 5G promises to be game changing, providing Internet access to places that have long struggled to gain robust broadband access. In this panel, we will discuss rural access issues, funding concerns, and the opportunities and challenges related to this technology, including why rural broadband access is important and how the Attorneys General can play a role in encouraging its rollout and adoption. This session will also touch upon what Attorneys General need to know about rural broadband issues and the applications that can benefit from 5G technology. This discussion will, for example, focus on telehealth, online education opportunities, and economic development. It will also discuss how the government and private firms can work together to advance the rollout of this technology and to address longstanding digital divide challenges.