Agenda

Sen. Cruz, Rep. McMorris Rodgers Urge FCC Commissioner to Reject Rosenworcel Plan to Subsidize TikTok on School Buses

We write to express our strong opposition to a plan circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to expand the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC or the Commission) E-Rate program. This plan would not only violate federal law but also duplicate programs across the federal government, directly contradicting FCC commissioners’ repeated commitments to streamlining federal broadband funding.

Memphis introduces new broadband plan, hopes to expand access to thousands of residents

Mayor Jim Strickland (D-Memphis) unveiled a program that could create affordable broadband internet access for thousands of Memphians currently living without it. The plan would partner the city with a private telecommunications company to install fiber optic cables to at least 6,000 properties—both residential and commercial. The applicant awarded the contract would have to meet a series of guidelines, and if the City of Memphis finds that the company is not in compliance with the requirements, it could remove the "Smart City Fiber Access System" designation—which allows that company to pa

Sponsor: 

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Thu, 10/05/2023 - 11:30 to 13:00

The Federal Communications Commission's Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination will host the latest in a series of listening sessions to gain additional information and understanding from affected communities, state, local, and Tribal governments, public interest advocates, and providers about challenges, barriers and experiences in ensuring all people of the United States benefit from equal access to broadband. The purpose of the listening session is to continue the FCC's outreach in support of its ongoing efforts to promote equal access to broadband for everyone.



Reactions to FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Proposal to Restore Net Neutrality Rules

[This page is being updated.]

"The internet’s open design is revolutionary," said Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. "It means creating without permission, building community beyond geography, organizing without physical constraints, consuming content you want when and where you want it, and cultivating ideas not just around the corner but around the world...I believe it is essential that we sustain this foundation of openness—and that is why, for as long as I have served on the FCC, I have supported net neutrality."

Sponsor: 
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
Date: 
Thu, 11/02/2023 - 10:00 to 17:00

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau will host a workshop on the environmental compliance and historic preservation review process required for the construction of communications facilities supporting FCC licensed services. The workshop will include information relevant to the construction of new communications towers and the collocation of communications equipment on existing towers and other structures, including requirements for Antenna Structure Registration.



Sponsor: 

American Enterprise Institute

Date: 
Mon, 10/02/2023 - 14:00 to 16:00

After years of market-based pricing for broadband, state and federal officials are considering price controls to ensure affordability. One might think that broadband is already affordable given that the industry grew faster than the US economy for 15 of the past 16 years. But federal officials are pressing states to introduce price controls for low-cost broadband and perhaps broadband for the middle class. Middle-class subsidies and price benchmarking are also being contemplated.



Sponsor: 

American Enterprise Institute

Date: 
Fri, 09/29/2023 - 10:00 to 11:30

States are at the forefront for spending unprecedented billions of taxpayer dollars on broadband development. In 2020 and 2021 Congress allocated over $70 billion to improve broadband availability. Among political pressures to indulge favored constituents and impose market regulations, a lack of experience among many officials, and misinformation regarding lessons from the past, much can go wrong. Which states are leading the way, and how are they ensuring that taxpayers get their money’s worth?



Sponsor: 

20MM and Microsoft

Date: 
Tue, 10/24/2023 - 10:00 to 11:30

Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements have begun to transform social interaction and business operations. Such rapid transformations beg the question: How do these innovations affect the existing digital inequities that separate those with access to the technology from those without? How do we bridge that divide? 



The Fifth FCC Commissioner

Anna Gomez is the newest, and fifth, Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission. This may allow the FCC to pursue a Democratic agenda to tackle various issues:

Sponsor: 

Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy

McDonough School of Business

Georgetown University

Date: 
Tue, 10/17/2023 - 09:30 to 12:30

The NTIA is hard at work developing the National Spectrum Strategy that many expect to be shared publicly sometime this Fall. The World Radio Conference (WRC-23) commences in November in Dubai.  Meanwhile, Congress has still not restored the FCC’s auction authority. Our session takes place at a unique moment of time for the business and policy realms shaping the future of U.S. digital economy.



Sponsor: 

Cooperative Broadband Coalition

Date: 
Wed, 09/27/2023 - 08:00 to 16:35

Fiber-to-the-home is transforming rural Oklahoma. We are bringing rural broadband providers together to discuss opportunities for better serving rural Oklahomans.



Possible Revision or Elimination of FCC Rules

The Federal Communication Commission invites the general public to comment on the Commission’s rules to be reviewed pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980. The purpose of the review is to determine whether rules that the FCC adopted in calendar years 2007–2012 should be continued without change, amended, or rescinded in order to minimize any significant impact the rule(s) may have on a substantial number of small entities.

Senators Call on FCC to Restore Authority Over Broadband, Net Neutrality Protections

Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) led 25 of their Senate colleagues in writing to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expeditiously reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act and restore net neutrality protections. Doing so will allow the FCC to effectively protect consumers from harmful practices online, promote affordable access to the internet, enhance public safety, increase marketplace competition, and take other important steps to benefit our nation’s digital future.

Sponsor: 

Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Fri, 09/29/2023 - 13:00 to 15:30

A  listening session to gain additional information and understanding from affected communities, state, local, and Tribal governments, public interest advocates, and providers about challenges, barriers and experiences in ensuring all people of the United States benefit from equal access to broadband. The purpose of the listening session is to continue the Federal Communications Commission’s outreach in support of its ongoing efforts to promote equal access to broadband for everyone.



Universal Service Fund Under Fire

There have been several lawsuits over the last few years that challenge the legitimacy of the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service Fund (USF). A suit from a non-profit group called Consumers’ Research argues that USF fees are taxes and that the original creation of the USF was unconstitutional since the Telecommunications Act of 1996 gave the FCC the power to levy taxes.

Reflections on a Diverse Career in Communications Law and Policy

I’ve been asked to speak tonight about my career as a public interest communications lawyer and advocate, a grantmaker, and a public servant. When someone asks you to reflect on your career and perhaps offer some wisdom, it can only mean one thing – you’re old! Seriously, though, I’ve been extraordinarily lucky to have had exciting and diverse experiences in civil society, philanthropy, government, and yes, even in the private sector.  But like cooking a great meal, building a successful career requires a mix of a lot of different ingredients.

FCC Republican Pushes Against Idea Of Net Neutrality Revival

Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr, a longtime opponent of net neutrality rules, blasted the idea of bringing back regulations now that Democrats have a majority at the agency again. He said that recent Supreme Court law makes clear that a net neutrality revival would not survive legal challenges, meaning that any effort to craft rules would sap time from a FCC that should be focused elsewhere.

Sponsor: 

Community Broadband Action Network

Date: 
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 10:00 to Thu, 10/05/2023 - 11:30

As BEAD and other funds begin to flow into states and communities, the landscape is evolving quickly and taking on new dimensions of opportunity and need. No longer simply about fast, reliable access, today's broadband advocates must take a myriad of new goals and considerations into account.

Join CBAN for three mornings of virtual learning and conversation designed to provide insight - and actionable ideas - to everyone working towards better broadband for all.



Congress hears testimonies on 'disruptive' barriers to BEAD deployment

A House Commerce Committee hearing centered on the future of rural broadband funding had industry leaders testifying on the improvements they deem necessary for the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to be effective. US Telecom CEO Jonathan Spalter said in addition to financial backing, Congress can take non-funding actions to expedite and improve programs for rural broadband, and spoke against BEAD’s letter of credit requirement, which he contended could “actually reduce the amount of broadband deployed in the next few years using private capital.” Additi

USF legality hangs in the balance

The fate of the Universal Service Fund (USF) remains uncertain, as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held an en banc (before the entire bench) hearing to debate whether the current system is illegal The USF includes four main programs aimed at addressing the digital divide – High Cost, Lifeline, E-Rate (for schools and libraries) and Rural Health Care.

Billions to Connect Everyone to High-Speed Internet Could Still Fall Short

Under President Joe Biden, rural Americans could benefit from the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to expand fast, affordable internet access across the country by 2030. However, the lack of broadband infrastructure is particularly problematic in rural areas, where internet service is often unavailable or limited. Attempts to get broadband to everyone are not ne

Extending affordable internet can be a much-needed bipartisan victory

Congress is veering toward a potential government shutdown with no sign that the ongoing partisan divide over the budget will end anytime soon. So now, without delay, we need to identify opportunities for collaboration that result in tangible benefits for the public. One such opportunity is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Net Neutrality Rules Face ‘Major Questions’ Buzzsaw at High Court

The Federal Communications Commission appears poised to again consider how broadband internet access service should be regulated to ensure “net neutrality” so all consumers can enjoy free and unimpeded access to lawful internet content. However, the key question is who decides how to translate that goal into law.

Majority Staff Memo | Connecting Every American: The Future of Rural Broadband Funding

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 8.3 million households lack access to high-speed broadband. Providing universal access to communications service—initially voice service and now broadband—has always been a challenge in the United States. Although connecting urban, populated areas is relatively easy, serving sparsely populated rural areas is difficult due to differences in terrain and population density.