Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Roundtable Discussion (updated w/agenda)

Federal Communications Commission

Friday, February 12, 2021 - 10:00am
Time Zone: 
EST
Virtual Event

The Federal Communications Commission will host the discussion to provide an opportunity for FCC staff and interested parties to examine proposed actions the FCC should take to establish the program. The FCC is currently receiving comments regarding the program, and this roundtable will provide an additional opportunity to determine the best approach to leverage the funding to help close the digital divide. Specifically, the roundtable discussion will focus on the important public policy and program administration decisions that will shape the FCC’s approach to administering the funding.

See this Feb 5 update

The event will feature opening remarks from Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel as well as Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington.

The roundtable discussion will consist of two, fifty-minute question-and-answer panels moderated by FCC Wireline Bureau staff to examine key issues related to the program. The first panel will discuss Emergency Broadband Benefit Program outreach and consumer enrollment considerations. Specifically, the panel will focus on building awareness for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and issues the FCC should take into account to achieve an effective consumer application and enrollment experience. Panelists include:

  • Matthew Gerst, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA
  • Erica Myers, Lead, Microsoft Airband US-Rural
  • Travis Noland, Manager of Government Relations, Cherokee Nation
  • Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
  • Trinity Thorpe-Lubneuski, Senior Director, Program Administration, Comcast Internet Essentials
  • Olivia Wein, Attorney, National Consumer Law Center
  • Dr. Fallon Wilson, Vice President of Policy, Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council

The second panel will focus on broadband provider participation and consumer choice in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The conversation will consider the current broadband marketplace and how this should inform the FCC’s decisions regarding provider access to the program. Additionally, the panel will discuss the provider enrollment process and ways that process can maximize consumers’ choice of robust broadband to meet their current needs. Panelists include:

  • Virginia Lam Abrams, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Strategic Advancement, Starry, Inc.
  • Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition
  • Anisa Green, Director, Federal Regulatory, AT&T
  • Steve Morris, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, NCTA
  • Jonathan Nez, President, Navajo Nation
  • Francella Ochillo, Executive Director, Next Century Cities
  • Michael Romano, Senior Vice President of Industry Affairs & Business Development, NTCA