What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Upgrading the Office of Tech Assessment
With Congress inching toward reopening its long-shuttered Office of Technology Assessment, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation to fix what critics say were the office’s flaws back before it was defunded by Newt Gingrich-led Republicans in the 1990s.
The National Tribal Broadband Summit will connect tribal leaders with private sector and federal decision makers to explore ways to expand broadband capacity and investment in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, schools, and libraries. The summit will showcase new technologies and innovative partnership solutions that are critical to bridging the connectivity divide in Indian Country.
Broadband Mapping Markup in the House?
The House Commerce Committee's telecom subcommittee will soon move to mark up legislation to improve the government’s mapping of broadband data, which lawmakers have long complained is riddled with errors. And the panel will likely use the Broadband DATA Act, H.R. 4229, from Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), as the base. “I think the Loebsack bill will be the vehicle it runs through,” Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) said. “But I think we’re going to be taking bits and pieces of the other bills, too.”
Talking the Future of Fiber in Breckenridge
Senior Program Manager Cat Blake presented on Fiber and the Future of Mountain Communities, an informational panel hosted by the town of Breckenridge (CO). Panelists discussed the importance of investing in broadband infrastructure and the future of connectivity in the region. The discussion began with a question on the value of internet access in a community like Breckenridge, with panelists noting potential job growth and new educational resources.
Lawmakers Urge Aggressive Action From Regulators on Big Tech
The Senate Antitrust Subcommittee pressed top antitrust regulators to aggressively investigate the power of the country’s biggest tech companies, with some lawmakers questioning whether the officials had the will or resources to take on Silicon Valley’s richest businesses. The lawmakers pushed for assurances that the agencies would provide vigorous oversight of the companies. But the regulators — Joe Simons, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and Makan Delrahim, the top antitrust official at the Justice Department — offered few details about their inquiries into the industry.
All Over the Broadband Map
What if you held a Congressional hearing and consensus broke out? As strange as that proposition may appear to be in Washington these days, there does seem to be general consensus that the Federal Communications Commission isn't doing a good enough job collecting data on where broadband internet access service is available -- and where it ain't.
With a new decade, new technologies, and nationwide elections looming, 2019 is the year to re-think our nation's communications policies and revitalize core values around broadband deployment and adoption. These subject-matter experts will debate whether we are on the right track or whether we need a paradigm-shift in broadband policy to bring broadband to unserved and underserved communities.
Founded in 2010 as the SHLB Coalition's flagship annual Conference, AnchorNets convenes over 300 people from every corner of the country to discuss the key broadband policy issues affecting anchor institutions and their communities. In addition to gaining meaningful insights from interactive workshops, panel discussions, and prestigious keynotes, attendees have the opportunity to mingle with decisionmakers from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
2019 NHMC Washington, D.C. Impact Awards Reception Honorees:
- Congresswoman Debra Haaland, U.S. Representative and first Native American woman to serve in Congress - Outstanding Public Service
- The Intel Foundation, Technology foundation pushing for education, inclusivity, and diversity in technology - Outstanding Foundation
- Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr., U.S. Representative and advocate for the economic mobility and empowerment of the Latino community - Outstanding Philanthropist
- More honorees to be announced.
The Committee provides advice to the Assistant Secretary to assist in developing and maintaining spectrum management policies that enable the United States to maintain or strengthen its global leadership in the introduction of communications technology, services, and innovation; thus expanding the economy, adding jobs, and increasing international trade, while at the same time providing for the expansion of existing technologies and supporting the country’s homeland security, national defense, and other critical government missions.