Upcoming event
Witnesses to be announced.
Infrastructure is essential to the everyday workings of the American economy. Our roads, rails, pipes, and cables connect people to opportunity, allow companies to grow, and influence our environmental health. Too often, however, debate on infrastructure focuses exclusively on the physical quality of our networks and the price tags associated with new projects.
Promises Mean Little for Consumers in T-Mobile/Sprint Deal
[Commentary] The proposition here is simple: This T-Mobile/Sprint deal will shrink the market for nationwide mobile wireless service from four players to three, giving consumers fewer choices and increasing the likelihood that prices will be higher and service offerings will be less consumer-friendly. Decreased competition in a market that is already consolidated? This deal should be an easy one for the government to reject. Companies seeking to merge typically promise the sun, moon, and the stars to regulators in order to obtain approval, and T-Mobile and Sprint are no different.
In the modern economy, data has replaced oil, according to The Economist, as the world’s most valuable resource. For policymakers, the challenge of how to regulate data is emerging as an increasingly significant issue.
This hearing will examine the convergence of expanding broadband access, promoting competition in both wireline and wireless markets, and protecting our telecommunications infrastructure from national security threats. Members will discuss the many steps making up the supply chain for equipment in U.S. telecommunications networks, and how government and industry respond to threats and opportunities.
Senate will vote to kill or keep net neutrality rules by June 12
Senate Democrats filed a long-promised petition to prevent the repeal of net neutrality rules in a move that will force a vote of the full Senate by a deadline of June 12. The Senate will have to vote on a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval, which would nullify the Federal Communications Commission's December 2017 vote to repeal the nation's net neutrality rules.
The hearing will examine the state of the mobile app economy and its role in fostering job creation, e-commerce, innovation, and technology investment in the United States, and how apps are disrupting traditional business models and evolving in their sophistication and utility for consumers and businesses. Additionally, the hearing will explore ways to improve mobile broadband connectivity and how to address policy issues to support the continued growth and prosperity of the app economy.
Witnesses:
I support 'net neutrality.' Let's not let 'political theater' ruin a bipartisan deal
[Op-ed] I support net neutrality. I support rules that prevent blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization of internet traffic. I believe these principles should guide us on Capitol Hill as we work to expand broadband access to even the most remote and rural areas of the country. You might be surprised to learn that most of my fellow senators believe this too. Unfortunately, manufactured controversy often gets more attention in Washington than real solutions. The internet is too important for partisan politics.
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn on prison-phone justice, the Lifeline subsidy program, Net Neutrality protections and Puerto Rico’s hurricane-devastated communications infrastructure.