What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
During the hearing, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Administrator David Redl will testify, continuing the subcommittee’s role of oversight of NTIA. Members will seek an update on a number of the administration’s priorities, including spectrum and the race to 5G, broadband mapping, as well as internet governance and cybersecurity. Additionally, members will discuss public safety communications and check in on progress with FirstNet and Next-Generation 911.
U.S. Wireless Carriers Plan to Launch 5G With ‘Pucks’ Not Phones
AT&T and Verizon, conceding that phones won’t be available in time for the launch of fifth-generation mobile service in 2018, plan instead to offer 5G through portable hotspots called pucks. “I would expect that there are a range of handsets available in 2019 and some of those will be in the first half of 2019,” said Verizon’s wireless chief, Ronan Dunne. “If there’s anything available in 2018, it’s more likely to be a hotspot.” In a race to be first with technology that will let cars drive themselves and robots perform surgery, the wireless service providers, including No.
Senate Democrats Have a Plan to Save Net Neutrality
[Commentary] Senate Democrats are proposing to undo the FCC’s wrongheaded rule through a process set up by the Congressional Review Act. [O]ne more vote [is needed] to ensure the internet remains free and accessible to all. That vote must come from the ranks of the Republicans, who so far have sided with internet service providers, the only group that is clamoring to remove the important consumer protections enshrined in net neutrality.
FirstNet FY 2017: Annual Report to Congress
In the next fiscal year, we will continue to operationalize the network and interface with public safety. We have already begun work on service offerings like priority and preemption, and new capabilities will come as the FirstNet core network is launched in the first half of calendar year 2018. In addition,
we will see new device, application, and service offerings. We also will see the first phases of our RAN buildout to reflect increased coverage across the
country.
The 2018 PrivacyCon will expand collaboration among leading privacy and security researchers, academics, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and the government. As part of this initiative, the FTC sought general research that explores the privacy and security implications of emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
Join Axios's Mike Allen for a discussion on the way a faster, smarter, more connected internet is changing mobility and the way we travel including 1:1 interviews with:
- Sen Gary Peters (D-MI)
- House Commerce Committee Chairman Grag Walden (R-OR
- Chris Urmson, CEO of Aurora
In response to the thousands of constituents who have contacted his office regarding the elimination of net neutrality protections, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-CA-09) announced that he will host a town hall featuring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to discuss constituents’ concerns and how to move forward in the fight for a free and open internet.
To RSVP, please call the Congressman’s Antioch office at (925) 754-0716.
Chairman Pai Remarks at Mobile World Congress
[Speech] What is America’s strategy for seizing the 5G future? Make no mistake about it: I want the United States to be the best country for innovating and investing in 5G networks. I want American entrepreneurs to push the boundaries of the possible and American consumers to benefit from next-generation technologies. To accomplish this—and consistent with our market-based philosophy—the Federal Communications Commission is pursuing a wireless strategy built on three pillars: (1) spectrum, (2) infrastructure, and (3) light-touch network regulation.
NTIA Identifies 3450-3550 MHz for Study as Potential Band for Wireless Broadband Use
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in coordination with the Department of Defense (DOD) and other federal agencies, has identified 100 megahertz of spectrum for potential repurposing to spur commercial wireless innovation. This spectrum, the 3450-3550 MHz band, is in the mid-frequency range and could be a key asset in our nation's broadband spectrum inventory.
Reddit, Tumblr, and Others will fight for net neutrality with protests Feb 27
Along with organizations Fight for the Future, Demand Progress, and Free Press Action Fund, companies including Reddit, Tumblr, Etsy, and Medium are participating in a day of online and offline protests on February 27th. The protest — called Operation: #OneMoreVote — will call upon businesses, web users, and more to “flood lawmakers with phone calls and emails from constituents.”