If we want better broadband, more research needs to come first
[Commentary] Maps that accurately illustrate broadband coverage are needed to help direct both public and private sector efforts to areas without sufficient access.
June 2018
DC Must Help Close Rural Digital Divide
In a recent spending bill, Congress made $600 million available for additional broadband deployment to America’s rural areas. The US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has been tapped to administer these funds through a new pilot program. Without question, this funding is a welcome and needed addition to the growing arsenal now aimed squarely at closing the digital divide to rural Americans once and for all. Private investment, paired with dedicated federal programs, will connect millions more in the coming years.
Consumer groups rally for smaller Priority Access Licenses
A group of entities calling themselves the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) [including the Benton Foundation] is urging the Federal Communications Commission to stick to its original rules for the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) for the 3.5 GHz spectrum, arguing that larger licensed areas will undermine the goal of the small-cell innovation band. PISC, whose members include the Open Technology Institute at New America, Public Knowledge and the American Library Association, among others, reiterated in a May 30 letter the importance of retaining small license areas with shor
Public Knowledge Urges FTC to Investigate Facebook’s Data-Sharing Partnerships With Device Makers (Public Knowledge)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Mon, 06/04/2018 - 14:16Apple Aims To Help Parents Crack Down On Kids' iPhone Use (National Public Radio)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Mon, 06/04/2018 - 14:15Chairman Pai Remarks at FCC Supplier Diversity Workshop
[Speech] Now that I’ve seen what you can do, I’m adjusting my expectations. I’m raising the bar. I going to expect the Diversity Advisory Committee to work with Federal Communications Commision staff to make more real-world connections for small businesses, including those owned by women and minorities. I’m going to expect more recommendations on policies and best practices. I’m going to expect recommendations on how to bring more diversity to Silicon Valley.
As most people have discovered by the avalanche of compliance emails flooding their in-boxes, the long-arm of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) has now gone into effect. But because the United States always wants to lead on the world stage, there is growing talk in Washington about the need for our own privacy legislation. While the debate over the exact contours for privacy legislation is in the very early stages, if we decide to move forward, many complex questions nonetheless remain unanswered.
6:00 – 7:00: Drinks and Light Fare
House Commerce Ranking Member Pallone wants answers on Facebook sharing data with phone makers
House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) said that Facebook “should be prepared to come before Congress" and answer questions about its data collection practices. “It’s deeply concerning that Facebook continues to withhold critical details about the information it has and shares with others.