Policymakers

Rep. Fitzgerald (R-WI) Introduces Fair and Balanced FTC Act

Representative Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) introduced the Fair and Balanced FTC Act (HR 3692) to prohibit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from acting unless there is at least one FTC Commissioner from a different party from the Chair. This would incentivize the President to nominate and confirm Commissioners to ensure a functioning body including minority Commissioners to provide feedback and dissent on harmful FTC actions.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel to Recharter Communications Equity and Diversity Council

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will re-charter the Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) for another two-year term. This Council is charged with providing recommendations to ensure that underserved communities are not denied the wide range of opportunities made possible by next-generation networks without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability. Jamila Bess Johnson will remain the Designated Federal Officer for the Council.

Reactions to President Biden's Nominations to the Federal Communications Commission

"We are pleased that President Biden has announced these excellent nominees," said Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Executive Director Adrianne B. Furniss. "While we remain disappointed that our colleague Gigi Sohn did not receive the confirmation vote she so richly deserved, we are confident that Anna Gomez will be able to join Geoffrey Starks and Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel as strong protectors of the public interest.

Sen. Bennet Introduces Legislation to Ensure Responsible Use of Emerging Technologies Like AI By The US Government

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Oversee Emerging Technology Act to require relevant federal agencies to designate a senior official able to advise on the responsible use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing.

President Biden Nominates Deborah Robinson for Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator

President Joe Biden nominated Deborah Robinson for Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator. Robinson is an attorney with extensive experience protecting intellectual property rights on a global scale. Her career includes leadership roles as a corporate attorney and in public service as a prosecutor. As head of intellectual property enforcement at Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS), Robinson developed and implemented anti-piracy protocols to protect music, television, digital, and consumer-products properties.

Newton N. Minow, FCC Chairman Deemed TV a ‘Vast Wasteland’

Newton N. Minow, who as President John F. Kennedy’s new Federal Communications Commission chairman in 1961 sent shock waves through an industry and touched a nerve in a nation addicted to banality and mayhem by calling American television “a vast wasteland,” died on May 6 at his home in Chicago. He was 97. On May 9, 1961, almost four months after President Kennedy called upon Americans to renew their commitment to freedom around the globe, Mr.

Gigi Sohn announced as 1st Executive Director of American Association for Public Broadband

Gigi Sohn will serve as the Executive Director of the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB). Sohn will ensure public entities will have a visible, powerful, and consistent voice that will make the positive case for states to fund and communities to choose public broadband and oppose barriers to local choice. Founded by state and local broadband officials, AAPB is a 501 (c)(6) non-profit organization that will build a diverse membership of public broadband networks nationwide and advocate for municipal broadband and local choice at the federal, state, and local levels.

Next Century Cities Launches Nationwide Leadership Search; Executive Director Francella Ochillo to Depart This Summer

After four years at the helm, Francella Ochillo announced that she will move on from her role as Executive Director of Next Century Cities (NCC), an organization committed to bringing connectivity within reach for every resident in every community. Since joining Next Century Cities in 2019, Ochillo has been recognized as one of the most impactful digital rights advocates in the country.

US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Announces Appointment of Chief Richard Carrizzo as Chair of FirstNet Authority Board

US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo appointed Chief Richard Carrizzo to serve as Board Chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). Carrizzo is the Fire Chief for the Southern Platte Fire Protection District in Missouri who was first appointed to the FirstNet Authority Board in 2018 and reappointed in 2021, serving as the Board Vice Chair and the Advocacy Committee Chair. He succeeds Mayor Stephen Benjamin, who resigned as Board Chair effective March 31, 2023, to assume a position in the White House.

Pew providing data that policymakers need to close the digital divide

Many Americans lack access to high-speed broadband which has allowed communities to get what they need without having to leave their homes. And so, just as the oceans commission developed the facts necessary to create solutions, Pew convened experts and conducted research to gather the data that policymakers need to make a difference and to expand access to this critical broadband infrastructure. Pew has been working at both the state and federal levels on broadband issues. Far from just a rural issue, broadband access is a concern all around us, in unserved city blocks and neighborhoods, w

Public Knowledge Bolsters Advocacy and Communications Teams To Expand Outreach

Public Knowledge announced two additions and one change to its team. Public Knowledge welcomed Cedric Watkins, Government Affairs Policy Advocate, and Will McBride, Digital Content Manager.

Benton Institute Announces Inaugural Cohort of Opportunity Fund Fellows

The Benton Institute for Broadband and Society introduced its inaugural Marjorie & Charles Benton Opportunity Fund Fellows. The six broadband practitioners, advocates, and researchers are leading efforts to close the digital divide and realize a stronger, more equitable, and more just America.

UK Releases Wireless Infrastructure Strategy

The United Kingdom announced its wireless infrastructure strategy on April 11, 2023. As part of this effort, the UK aims to deliver nationwide coverage of standalone 5G to all populated areas by 2030, ensuring that it can bring its full benefits to villages and rural communities well beyond cities and towns. The Prime Minister has set out 5 priorities for the UK government - to build a better, more secure, more prosperous future for the UK, including growing the economy, and creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country, which this strategy is focused on delivering.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s Response to Members of Congress Regarding Telecommunications Networks in the United States

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel responded to a letter from a group of senators regarding the risks of foreign-managed service providers to US telecommunications networks. In her response, Roenworcel stated that she has made network security a top priority and is working with the Senator to ensure that the US assesses the risks posed by service providers outsourcing the administration of their networks to foreign entities.

Is Broadband Regulation Dead?

I ask this question after Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] recently withdrew her name from consideration as a Federal Communication Commissioner. But the objections to Sohn were all the kinds of smokescreens that politicians use to not admit the real reason they opposed the nomination; because she is in favor of regulating broadband and the public airwaves. The big broadband providers and the large broadcasting companies (some companies which are both) have been lobbying hard against the Sohn nomination since it was first anno

Remarks by Vice President Harris on Digital Inclusion in Africa

On April 1, 2023, US Vice President Kamala Harris delivered remarks in Lusaka, Zambia on US partnership with African nations to promote digital inclusion efforts in the continent. "The United States is committed to strengthening our partnerships across the continent of Africa with governments, with the private sector, and civil society," said the Vice President. In her remarks, Harris highlighted digital disparities faced by populations in Africa and funding opportunities announced by the White House.

Roddy Flynn Named Executive Director of Delaware Broadband Office

Chief Information Officer (CIO) Jason Clarke announced that Roddy Flynn will lead the state’s connectivity efforts as the Executive Director of the newly-formed Delaware Broadband Office. The Delaware Broadband Office is entrusted with leading efforts to expand the availability of wired high-speed internet to all homes and businesses across the state. Flynn most recently served as the Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

President Biden Yet to Withdraw Gigi Sohn’s FCC Nomination

The Biden administration appears to be in no hurry to withdraw the nomination of Gigi Sohn, its first choice for the third Democratic seat on the five-member Federal Communications Commission, or perhaps it was caught somewhat off guard by the need to find a new candidate. It has been more than two weeks since the embattled withdrew her name for consideration.

President Biden Picks Fara Damelin for FCC Inspector General

President Joe Biden nominated Fara Damelin to be Inspector General of the Federal Communications Commission. Currently, Damelin serves as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (OIG), a nationwide organization with over 500 oversight professionals dedicated to protecting HUD’s programs and beneficiaries from fraud, waste, and abuse.

The White House might be running out of time to bring back net neutrality

Shortly after coming into office, President Joe Biden moved to restore net neutrality.

Gigi Sohn speaks out on bitter FCC confirmation brawl for first time

For over a year, [Benton Senior Fellow and Public Advocate] Gigi Sohn stayed relatively silent as she faced a barrage of attacks over her nomination to the Federal Communications Commission, which had languished in the Senate since President Joe Biden tapped her in October 2021.

Campaign Legal Center Calls on FCC to Probe Questionable Stockholdings

The Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan government-watchdog group, called on the Office of Government Ethics, the federal agency that oversees ethics rules, to investigate whether the Federal Communications Commission complied with financial-conflict rules when it permitted several top officials to own stocks in apparent violation of the agency’s own rules. The Campaign Legal Center said FCC officials owned stocks in cable

Chairwoman Rosenworcel Remarks at Satellite Industry Association Dinner

The Federal Communications Commission has big plans for that future. Because a few months ago, I announced a shake-up at the Federal Communications Commission. I shared my plans to reorganize the agency to create a new Space Bureau. This effort is part of what I believe needs to be a broader rethinking of satellite policy in the United States. There are now new technologies in the space industry, thousands of satellite applications pending before the agency, and so many more innovations on the horizon that I believe we cannot keep doing things the old way and expect to thrive in the new.