Upcoming event

Recent congressional hearings and data breaches have prompted legislators, advocacy groups, and business leaders to call for broad federal privacy legislation. Furthermore, congressional leaders in both parties have expressed an interest in taking up privacy legislation and various members of Congress have released drafts of bills intended to spark discussion. As Congress returns to session in September, legislators will face continuing questions about how to develop federal legislation to protect personal information.

An open hearing on how departments and agencies across the federal government coordinate to secure the critical components and locations upon which the nation’s internet architecture depends. The hearing will also allow members to assess and examine the policies, authorities, and guidance for departments and agencies to collaborate, synchronize, and deconflict efforts.

The FirstNet Authority will post a detailed agenda for the Combined Board Committees and Board Meeting on its website, www.firstnet.gov, prior to the meetings. The agenda topics are subject to change. Please note that the subjects that will be discussed by the Committees and the Board may involve commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential or other legal matters affecting the FirstNet Authority.

A legislative hearing on broadband mapping

This hearing will examine the innovations high-speed broadband services bring to rural America in a variety of sectors such as agriculture, education, health care, and small business. The hearing will also explore the need to bring additional reliable broadband connectivity to rural America.

 Witnesses:

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Pre-Conference Session

10:30 am Graduate Student Consortium (by invitation)

11:30 am Capitol Hill Briefing

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

8:00 am Registration

9-10:40 am Paper Session I
(Five simultaneous tracks of 3 papers per session.)

BDAC will receive status reports and updates from its three working groups: Disaster Response and Recovery, Increasing Broadband Investment in Low-Income Communities, and Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Job Skills and Training Opportunities.

9:30 AM – CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BDAC

• Chair Elizabeth Bowles | DFO Justin Faulb

9:35 AM – OPENING REMARKS Commissioner Brendan Carr

9:40 AM – DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY WORKING GROUP PRESENTATION

The Summit will bring together leaders from government, business, and higher education to explore trends in technology and to stimulate discussions about technology-related needs in industry and education.

Guest of Honor

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker
Chairman, Senate Commerce Committee

Keynote Speaker

David Cohen
Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation 

Guest Speaker

Ajit Pai
Chairman, United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The purpose of the Workshop is to engage the public and stakeholders with information to accelerate broadband connectivity, improve digital inclusion, and support local priorities. The Workshop will provide information on topics including local broadband planning, funding, and engagement with service providers. Speakers and attendees from Nevada, federal agencies, and across the country will come together to explore ways to facilitate the expansion of broadband capacity, access, and utilization.