What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Join Public Knowledge and other advocacy groups for a deep dive into the Federal Communication Commission’s wireline infrastructure proceeding, a significant downgrade for rural America.
How the FCC Might Soon Disconnect Students
The Federal Communications Commission has taken a series of worrying actions since former FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai ascended to the role of chairman in January 2017. On Feb 3, the FCC abruptly rescinded the glowing E-rate report that had just been released two and a half weeks prior.
National Religious Broadcasters will announce a new internet freedom initiative on Thursday, December 7, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The event will feature an address by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and a panel, “Internet Freedom: Rights and Responsibilities,” with leading voices on the subject, including Craig Strazzeri with PragerU, a victim of internet censorship; former FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell; and evangelical leader Ralph Reed.
Features a faculty of expert practitioners, in-house counsel from telecommunications organizations, and key officials from the FCC who will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge issues facing the telecommunications industry today. The program will address critical trends and the latest developments, including wireless, wireline telecommunications, broadband Internet, and international and privacy issues. The Institute also focuses on industry competition, convergence and consolidation.
The FCC’s net neutrality plan may have even bigger ramifications in light of this obscure court case
The plan by the Federal Communications Commission to eliminate its network neutrality rules next week is expected to hand a major victory to Internet service providers. But any day now, a federal court is expected to weigh in on a case that could dramatically expand the scope of that deregulation — potentially giving the industry an even bigger win and leaving the government less prepared to handle net neutrality complaints in the future, consumer groups say. The case involves AT&T and one of the nation's top consumer protection agencies, the Federal Trade Commission.
Net neutrality supporters predict tough court battle over FCC's repeal plan
Network neutrality supporters are predicting that the Federal Communications Commission will have a hard time defending its decision to repeal its landmark rules in court. “The draft order seems to say that the FCC is no longer interested in exercising its responsibilities as an expert agency,” said Jonathan Sallet, a former FCC general counsel under the Obama administration. “I do not believe a court of appeals will uphold this order,” he added.
The FCC is swiftly changing national media policy. What does that mean on the local level?
The Federal Communications Commission’s anticipated decision on net neutrality has (rightfully) garnered a lot of publicity and scrutiny. The FCC’s repeal of different regulations earlier this fall, however, could reshape a news source often left out of predictions of the industry’s future: local TV newsrooms.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled “Digital Decision-Making: The Building Blocks of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence,” at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. The hearing will examine the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s digital economy, the development of algorithms powering AI, and what practices are in place or should be in place to ensure proper use of this technology.
Witnesses:
Remarks of Assistant Secretary Redl at the Phoenix Center 2017 Annual US Telecoms Symposium
This is an exciting time to lead NTIA, which plays a vital role in many important areas of telecommunications, including managing federal spectrum use, promoting investments in broadband infrastructure, and developing policies that improve cybersecurity, Internet governance and more. There is much to celebrate when it comes to the Internet, but there are real problems we need to tackle. Many Americans, especially in rural areas, still can't access broadband at the speeds needed to meaningfully participate in the modern economy.