Upcoming event

This event will feature a panel of experts who will discuss bipartisan solutions that federal legislators can employ as they tackle the ever-pressing issue of privacy in the digital age. 

The 2.5 GHz band is the largest band of contiguous spectrum below 3 gigahertz. It’s highly suitable for next-generation mobile and fixed broadband services, including 5G. For over 50 years, the FCC has intended the 2.5 GHz band to serve primarily an educational purpose by placing certain restrictions on licenses in this band – but much of the 2.5 GHz band lies underutilized and unused throughout the U.S.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program is the only federal program specifically designed to address the biggest cause of America’s digital divide: the high cost of phone and internet service. The program provides qualifying low-income households a $9.25 monthly subsidy to purchase phone and internet service, which helps millions of low-income military veterans, students, and health care recipients.

Many have hailed online streaming as the music industry’s savior. Streaming revenue surpassed traditional format sales in 2017, and services like Spotify are even making it possible for artists with no mainstream presence or even record label contracts to make a living. But streaming is also bringing changes that may not be good for the industry, musicians, or listeners. Songs now need to get to the chorus faster to avoid being skipped, albums have more tracks because artists are being paid by the song, and the disparity between pop superstars and everyone else is increasing

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the March Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Friday, March 15, 2019:

Spectrum Horizons – The Commission will consider a First Report and Order that would adopt rules to make available 21.2 GHz of spectrum above 95 GHz for unlicensed operations and create a new class of experimental licenses for the 95 GHz to 3 THz spectrum range.  (ET Docket No. 18-21; RM-11795)

Rescheduling – Because the agency is currently funded under a Continuing Resolution that runs through February 15, the FCC’s statutorily-required monthly meeting has been moved from February 21 to February 14.

These items were originally circulated for the January meeting but were withdrawn due to the lapse in appropriations.

Update:

Due to the current partial lapse in appropriations, the items previously set forth in the January 3, 2019 Tentative Agenda (see below) will not be considered at the meeting. The meeting will consist of announcements only.

Sprint and T-Mobile have announced plans to merge, which would significantly increase concentration in the wireless industry—reducing the number of major wireless carriers from four to three, increasing prices for consumers, and lowering wages for workers.

A discussion of groundbreaking new research quantifying the impact of the proposed merger on the wages of retail workers in the wireless industry.

This event is free and open to the public, and lunch will be provided. Your RSVP will help us prepare.

This event will be livestreamed.