Telecom Act at 30: Act into Action, and Unfinished Business

At the second panel of the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society’s March 5 “Telecom Act at 30” event, panelists reflected on the legacy of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and what the future holds for universal service. Former Federal Communications Commissioner and Benton Institute Board Member Mignon Clyburn moderated the panel of experts, including former FCC Commissioner Rachelle Chong; President and CEO of the Irving Group, Larry Irving, who headed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) during the Clinton Administration; former Clinto White House Aide and current Benton board member Jim Kohlenberger; Christopher Wright, a Partner at Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP and former FCC General Counsel; and New Street Research Policy Advisor Blair Levin who was the chief of staff at the FCC in the mid-1990s.