Setting the Table for the National Broadband Plan

BroadbandCensus.com
September 15, 2009
8 a.m.
Clyde's of Gallery Place
707 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

The Federal Communications Commission is in the midst of considering a major national initiative: a National Broadband Plan. What are the contours of such a plan likely to resemble? How will this broadband stragegy affect deployment, adoption and use of broadband throughout the United States? How will it affect health care, the environment, the digital divide, and online learning?

What have the FCC's summer broadband workshops accomplished? What role will FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and his new staff play in shaping the plan, and how will the process unfold over the next six months? How will the broadband stimulus program already underway affect the development of the FCC's plan?

Panelists:

Joe Waz, Senior Vice President, Comcast
As Senior Vice President of Comcast Corporation, Joe Waz has primary responsibility for the company's public policy activities. He also serves as President of the Comcast Foundation. Before joining Comcast in 1994, Waz spent 11 years at The Wexler Group in Washington, D.C., serving as executive vice president and general counsel, and began his Washington career with Ralph Nader's Telecommunications Research and Action Center. Waz holds a bachelor's degree cum laude from Boston University and a doctor of laws from the University of Connecticut. Waz has received the cable industry's highest honor, the Vanguard Award, has also been recognized by the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, the Cable Television Public Affairs Association, and the Minority Media & Telecommunications Council.

Aaron Smith, Research Specialist, Pew Internet & American Life Project
Aaron Smith has been with the Pew Internet Project since the spring of 2007. He is the lead author on several reports examining the role of the internet in the 2008 elections, and has co-authored research on teens and technology, the role of technology and family life, and the demographics of internet use. He holds a Masters degree in Public Affairs and an undergraduate degree from the Plan II Honors Program, both from the University of Texas at Austin.

Bruce Kushnick, Executive Director, New Networks Institute
Bruce Kushnick has been a telecom analyst for 27 years, and is currently the executive director of New Networks Institute, a market research firm, started in 1992. He is also one of the founders of Teletruth in 2001. He was a member of FCC Consumer Advisory Committee in 2003-2004 and has worked with the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy on competitive issues. Teletruth's "Send us your phone bills" campaigns has lead to class action suits and major refunds for overcharging, and last year received a grant from the California Consumer Protection Fund. Bruce currently writes on broadband and telecom topics for Harvard Nieman Foundation for Journalism's Watchdog project.

Joanne Hovis, President-Elect, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors