What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Comcast Is Pushing For a Flimsy Net Neutrality Law it Knows Telecom Lobbyists Will Write
Even if the Federal Communications Commission wins in court, large Internet serivce providers still need to find a way to prevent any future FCCs from simply reinstating the network neutrality rules. That’s why the same giant ISPs that backed the FCC’s assault on net neutrality are now pushing for a “legislative solution” in Congress. The goal: they want a law that contains so many loopholes as to be effectively meaningless, yet prevents the FCC from crafting any real, tough laws down the road.
Critics of Chairman Pai's Sec. 706 Broadband Deployment Review Create #MobileOnly Challenge
The Federal Communications Commission's decision to review what qualifies as high-speed broadband has drawn a crowd of critics armed with smartphones and other devices. Almost a dozen groups including Public Knowledge, New America’s Open Technology Institute, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) have launched the #MobileOnly challenge. Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, participants will spend an entire day only accessing the internet via a mobile device. The idea is to demonstrate that mobile has various limitations that make it not a sufficient substitute for wired broadband.
Chairman Pai's Response to Members of Congress Regarding Affordable Internet Access to High-Cost Rural Areas
On Oct 31, 2017, several members of Congress wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to urge the FCC to take action to ensure the High-Cost Universal Service Fund (USF) program provides sufficient and predictable support to help deliver affordable, high-quality broadband to rural consumers.
Topics selected for FCC open meeting agendas will be posted on the Commission's website approximately three weeks prior to the Commission's next monthly meeting. The Commission will also issue a public notice of the "Commission Meeting Agenda" one week before the meeting and announce at that time the items that are scheduled for the agenda.
Effective digital inclusion programs are essential for communities, supporting efforts such as workforce development, educational attainment, financial literacy, and better access to health care. Finding financial support for such programs requires creative partnerships, coordination with civic leaders, and messaging that articulates the benefits of such programs to communities. Join BroadbandUSA's webinar to learn how communities have funded digital inclusion programs using a variety of funding options such as local philanthropies, city budget mechanisms, and private sector support.
The Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (“The Framework”) was issued on February 12, 2014. This voluntary framework – based on existing standards, guidelines, and practices – provides a prioritized, flexible, repeatable, performance-based, and cost-effective approach to managing cybersecurity risk at all levels in an organization and is applicable to organizations of all sizes and sectors. The Framework was developed in a year-long, collaborative process in which NIST served as a convener for industry, academia, and government stakeholders.
Next Up on Net Neutrality
House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) announced plans to introduce a net neutrality bill soon. “Everybody is for a free and open internet, and that is what we want to preserve," Chairman Blackburn said in a video released on her Twitter page the same day as the FCC vote. "You can look for legislation next week where Congress will do its job.
What to Do Now: How We Save Net Neutrality
[Commentary] We may have lost the vote at the FCC, but the fight isn’t over yet. Now it moves to two new venues, both of which will require public support. Chairman Pai may have ignored millions of Americans, but he can’t ignore Congress. Members of Congress have the ability and the authority to quickly reverse Chairman Pai’s unprecedented rulemaking through a law called the Congressional Review Act (CRA).
Comcast to be “unleashed” on rivals when NBC merger conditions expire
In January 2018, the conditions imposed by the US government on Comcast's 2011 purchase of NBCUniversal will begin to expire. Smaller cable companies that compete against Comcast are worried that Comcast will raise the price for carrying "must-have" programming such as regional sports networks, NBC's local TV stations, and NBC's national programming.
Sen Markey Leads Resolution to Restore FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules
Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) and 15 other Sens announced their plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would undo Dec 14's action by the Federal Communications Commission and restore the 2015 net neutrality rules.