INTERFERENCE: Wireless Innovation, Public Interest, Regulatory Response

INTERFERENCE: Wireless Innovation, Public Interest, Regulatory Response

Thursday, February 26, 2009
8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Sponsored by
CommLaw Conspectus: Journal of Communications Law & Policy and the
Institute for Communications Law Studies at the Catholic University Columbus School of Law
in association with the Federal Communications Bar Association

8:30-8:35 Opening Remarks

8:45-9:15 Morning Speaker

9:20-10:35 DTV Scorecard-

Panelists will reflect upon the outcome of the transition and look forward to the challenges yet to be resolved

Moderator: Mark Lloyd, VP for Strategic Initiatives
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

Panelists:

• Diane Burstein, Deputy General Counsel, National Cable and Telecommunications Association
• Bernadette McGuire-Rivera, Association Administrator, NTIA

10:40-11:55 Interference, Innovation, and Global Spectrum Policy

Panelists will discuss how new advanced terrestrial broadband wireless
communications have the potential to interfere with satellite
communications used in public safety, national defense, climate change
and weather conditions.

Moderator: Donna Gregg, Scholar-in-Residence and Visiting Associate Professor
Institute for Communications Law Studies

Panelist:
John Giusti, Deputy Bureau Chief, International Bureau, FCC

11:55-1:00 Luncheon Keynote

1:05-2:20 A Debate on Spectrum Allocation in the Digital Age

• Gigi Sohn, CEO and Founder of Public Knowledge,
• Thomas Hazlett, Professor of Law and Economics at George Mason University

The will debate the proper modes of allocation—licensed or unlicensed—and the proper uses for spectrum ranging from entirely in the public interest to entirely commercial.

Moderator: Bryan Tramont, Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP

2:25-3:40 D Block and AWS: Using Spectrum Auctions to Achieve Social Goals

Panelists will discuss the particular theories on optimal allocation of the spectrum, with a specific focus on using the spectrum to serve public interests

Moderator: Former FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy, Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP

Panelists:

• Brian Fontes, CEO, National Emergency Number Association
• Angela Giancarlo, Senior Legal Advisor, Comm'r. McDowell
• Kathleen Ham, VP Regulatory Affairs, T-Mobile

3:45 Closing Remarks and Reception