What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
BroadbandUSA’s Practical Conversations have showcased how cities and communities are using technology to solve local issues. Now, join us for the April webinar to find out how states are using smart technology and policy to enhance economic development and quality of life for their urban, suburban and rural communities.
At this meeting, the BDAC will consider reports and recommendations from its working groups, including the Model Code for Municipalities working group and the Model Code for States working group. In addition, the BDAC will continue its discussions on how to accelerate the deployment of broadband by reducing and/or removing regulatory barriers to infrastructure investment. This agenda may be modified at the discretion of the BDAC Chair and the Designated Federal Officer (DFO).
The Stop Illegal Robocalls Expo will feature technologies, devices and applications to minimize or eliminate the number of illegal robocalls consumers receive. The Expo is free for the public to attend. It will provide a platform for showcasing innovative technologies, devices and applications that will improve consumers' daily lives by combatting illegal robocalls.
Witnesses
Mr. Aaron Foss
Founder, Nomorobo
Mr. Ethan Garr
Chief Product Officer, RoboKiller
Mr. Scott Hambuchen
Executive Vice President, Technology and Solution Development, First Orion Corp.
Ms. Maureen Mahoney
Policy Analyst, Consumers Union
The hearing will examine the problem of malicious spoofing and abusive robocalls designed to defraud consumers, as well as measures being taken by government and industry to protect consumers.
Witnesses
FCC’s pending vote on national security raises more concerns
Nokia, the Rural Wireless Association and others are raising additional concerns about the Federal Communications Commission’s planned vote in April on a proposal that is designed to bar companies deemed a national security threat from supplying equipment to US carriers.
Democrats plan to push privacy rules after Facebook hearings
House Democrats plan to use the Facebook hearings as the starting point for an aggressive push for privacy legislation, which sets them up to move a bill forward if the House flips in November 2018. Democrats on the House Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over tech issues, will introduce proposals in the near term. That gives Democrats the opportunity to point to their efforts even if Republicans fail to make good on their regulatory threats.
Paid Prioritization: Leaving Startups in the Slow Lane
[Commentary] Internet service providers would like you to think there’s broad agreement on net neutrality because everyone agrees cable companies shouldn’t block or slow access to websites and online services.
Knowledge Gap Hinders Ability of Congress to Regulate Silicon Valley
With bipartisan agreement, members of Congress said that Silicon Valley needed to be reined in with new regulations. But time and again, when the most pressing issues have landed on Capitol Hill — like gun violence, school shootings, immigration and border control — Congress has declared five-alarm fires only to fail to follow through on major legislation. The current zest for new privacy laws is also likely to stall as lawmakers wrestle with the technical complexities and constitutional vexations sure to emerge with any legislation to control content on the internet. Beyond the typical pol