What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Conservative Coalition Supports T-Mobile and Sprint Merger
A group of conservative organizations sent a letter to the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee supporting the proposed merger of T-Mobile and Sprint, saying the transaction is consistent with antitrust law and will benefit consumers. The groups say the merger will drive competition and will result in higher speeds and lowered prices for consumers.
NTIA Reauthorization Legislation Morphs Into Broadband Bill (updated)
The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), held a hearing to consider draft legislation to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). But the bill was billed as a rural broadband solution, including coordinating funding efforts and getting mroe accurate and granular maps of broadband coverage.
Dysfunctional US needs "Sputnik moment" on future tech
The US is putting up relatively meager competition in a potent new global tech race that, combined with the wave of go-it-alone nationalism led by President Donald Trump, is reshaping global politics and may lead to war, according to a major new report. In the late 1950s, the US, facing a similar momentous challenge in Sputnik, threw all its resources into a single-minded effort to dominate the future.
Tech didn’t spot Russian interference during the last election. Now it’s asking law enforcement for help.
Silicon Valley companies and law enforcement are starting to talk about how to ward off meddling by malicious actors including Russia on social media in the November midterms, an attempt at dialogue and information-sharing that was absent during the 2016 presidential elections.
Discussion Draft: National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018
Witnesses
The Honorable John Kneuer
President, JKC Consulting
Ms. Joanne S. Hovis
President, CTC Technology and Energy
Fixed wireless is becoming a serious contender in the growing broadband access market. Fixed wireless economics and technology improvements are giving carriers a new option versus fiber for both OSP backhaul and direct access applications. Technology advancements in the sub 6Ghz and mmWave space have reduced the size and cost, and increased bandwidth of fixed wireless products.
The Senate Commerce Committee will hold an executive session to consider a number of bills and nominations including:
This hearing will examine the imminent threat posed to America’s small businesses by the Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE. The hearing will provide committee Members the opportunity to hear from national security experts and cybersecurity firms on steps the administration can take to protect small businesses and American citizens from the dangers presented by ZTE. The hearing will also investigate ongoing efforts being by both the public and private sectors to reduce the challenges small businesses face in dealing with illicit Chinese backed enterprises.
Women are underrepresented in many technological occupations, but have increasingly made inroads into the field of civic technology, a sector of digital technologies, platforms, and services which enable progress toward the public good. Civic tech provides a toolbox for citizens and governments to enhance open government, spur community action, and combat inequality. The growing inclusion of women in this field adds their unique experiences and perspectives to the development of transformative technology solutions, reinforcing the role of greater diversity in the workforce.