Agenda

Sponsor: 

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Date: 
Fri, 02/05/2021 - 13:00 to 17:00

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is holding Tribal Consultations for input on implementation of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116-260 (Act), provides new sources of tribal broadband funding that can assist in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the digital divide across Indian Country. The Department of Commerce and NTIA are dedicated to expanding broadband deployment in unserved areas and promoting digital inclusion.



NTIA Announces Tribal Consultations on New Program to Increase Broadband Access Across Indian Country

The recently enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides new sources of tribal broadband funding to assist in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which is exacerbating the digital divide across Indian Country.  With the designated funding, NTIA is in the process of developing the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) that will make grants available to eligible entities as quickly as possible.

Sponsor: 

Schools Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition

Date: 
Wed, 02/10/2021 - 13:15 to 14:15

President Biden ran for office on the promise of “Building Back Better,” including a commitment to expand broadband access to every American. Now that we’re in the thick of the first 100 days, how does the new Administration plan to deliver on this lofty goal? So far we’ve seen the President call upon the Federal Communications Commission to help students without home broadband, but it’s not just students who are stuck on the wrong side of the digital divide.



Sponsor: 

INCOMPAS

Date: 
Mon, 02/08/2021 - 11:30 to Wed, 02/10/2021 - 16:00




Sponsor: 

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Date: 
Thu, 03/25/2021 - 13:00 to 14:00

Hear from economists, policymakers and funders about opportunities to increase broadband access and from practitioners about supporting both students and teachers in virtual learning.

 



Sponsor: 

Lifeline Coalition

Date: 
Wed, 02/10/2021 - 14:00

People in low-income and marginalized communities -- regardless of where they live in the U.S. -- are disproportionately unlikely to have an internet connection at home. Without a home connection, they are unable to work and learn remotely, use telemedicine, access government benefits, and more. Please join Senator Schumer, Whip Clyburn, and the Lifeline Coalition for a Congressional briefing on the problems low-income and marginalized communities face when trying to connect, and the multi-pronged approach Congress should take to address these issues during the pandemic and beyond.



Sponsor: 

Attorney General Alliance

Date: 
Wed, 02/03/2021 - 12:00 to 13:00

Moderator: Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General



Sponsor: 

Central Florida Foundation

Date: 
Thu, 02/11/2021 - 10:10 to 10:25

Interview with Gigi Sohn on Broadband as a Basic Utility



Sponsor: 

Michelson 20MM Foundation

Date: 
Thu, 02/25/2021 - 10:00 to 11:30

Following President Biden’s pledge to make digital equity a cornerstone of his administration, our panel will share their insights on the government’s approach to technology policy, and how the Biden-Harris administration can lead on one of the most potentially transformative economic development investments of the century.



Momentum Grows to Shore Up FCC Subsidy Programs, But Deal Elusive

Pressure is rising on the Federal Communications Commission and Congress to rethink the $8 billion Universal Service Fund that subsidizes phone and broadband service, as it teeters on a shrinking budget base. Big phone companies like AT&T, entities that benefit from USF programs, and public interest groups see the Biden administration as a new opportunity to press their case for an overhaul of the funding mechanism.

The House Gavel in Charge of Section 230 Reform

The House Commerce Committee now officially labels the hot-button issue of Section 230 under the jurisdiction of its communications and technology subcommittee, which is chaired by Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA). During the previous Congress, Commerce 

Comcast CEO Roberts Seeks More ‘Permanent’ Footing for Net Neutrality Laws

Perhaps no chief executive lobbied harder than Comcast’s Brian Roberts for the Federal Communications Commission's 2017 rollback of net neutrality rules under Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

Sponsor: 

California Department of Education

Date: 
Tue, 02/02/2021 - 10:00

I. Welcome
    a. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond
    b. Senator Connie Leyva

II. Opening Comments
   a. Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry
   b. Assemblymember Burke
   c. Assemblymember Garcia
   d. Assemblymember Santiago

III. Bill Proposal Ideas
   a. Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry (5-minutes)
   b. Senator Lena Gonzalez (5-minutes)
   c. Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (5-minutes)

IV. Questions and Answers



Sponsor: 

Chi Hack Night

Date: 
Tue, 02/02/2021 - 19:00

As part of his historic $45 billion Rebuild Illinois investment strategy, in 2019 Governor Pritzker included $420 million to expand access to high-speed broadband internet across the state. A critical commitment to closing gaps and expanding opportunity, the Connect Illinois program is central to the Governor’s Five-Year Economic Plan to revitalize and grow the Illinois economy with an emphasis on equitable growth.



Will FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Boost Telehealth?

Federal support for expanding broadband access – long considered one of the biggest barriers to telehealth adoption in rural and underserved areas – is one of the few bright spots for connected health in recent months.

President Biden faces pressure from tech advocates to nominate final FCC commissioner

A coalition of more than 30 advocacy groups are calling on President Joe Biden and congressional leadership to fill the final vacancy at the Federal Communications Commission immediately. While President Biden recently named Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel the acting chairwoman of the FCC, the agency was left with a vacancy when former Chairman Ajit Pai stepped down on Inauguration Day. 32 advocacy organizations argued in a letter to the Biden administration and members of the Senate that there needed to be a "speedy nomination and confirmation of a fifth commissioner" to the FCC so it can

Facebook seeks a new head of US public policy

Facebook is looking externally for a new US policy chief as it moves Kevin Martin, a Republican and former Federal Communications Commission chairman who now holds the job, to lead the firm's global economic policy team. Facebook is moving on from the Trump era in which Republicans held most of the power in Washington and Facebook was particularly eager among tech companies to forge warm relations with GOP policymakers.

Jockeying to Shape Biden's Broadband Vision Heats Up

As President Joe Biden fills out his top administration posts and his digital agenda, advocates are rushing forward with ideas for just how his team and the Federal Communications Commission should proceed, touting structural reforms and emphasizing equity concerns.

Acting FCC Chair: The digital divide is very real and very big

As Jessica Rosenworcel transitions into the role of acting chair of the Federal Communications Commission, rural broadband leaders are expecting her to maintain her criticism of the agency's broadband coverage maps and keep a focus on identifying gaps in high-speed internet service. Mike Romano of the NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association expects improving rural broadband access will be an area where the FCC can move ahead. “One of the things Chairwoman Rosenworcel has been interested in from the start is making sure every American, rural or urban ...

Hawaii officials push broadband as key to post-pandemic economy

Critical to building a “Hawaii 2.0.” economy, as Gov. David Ige (D-HI) termed it in his annual State of the State address, is building out a broadband infrastructure that was not, in officials’ estimation, prepared to support the needs of widespread remote work, telehealth, and virtual learning. “A critical part of re-programming our economy is also the creation of a healthy statewide broadband network,” Gov Ige said.

Sponsor: 

Telecommunications Policy Research Conference

Date: 
Wed, 02/17/2021 - 09:45 to Fri, 02/19/2021 - 15:45

Times are Eastern Time.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

9:45 am. Welcome to a Virtual Conference

10:00 am Paper Sessions (Click here for listing of Papers)



Sen Wyden's prospects for the 177th Congress: Privacy, Section 230, and Broadband

In an interview with Politico, Sen Ron Wyden (D-OR) describe his plans for the 117th Congress. Some highlights:

Sponsor: 

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Fri, 02/12/2021 - 10:00

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.



Pressure builds on President Biden, Democrats to revive net neutrality rules

More than three years ago, Jessica Rosenworcel could only react in horror as her Republican counterparts on the Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal the US government’s net neutrality rules. Now, Acting FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel controls the very commission she once criticized for failing to heed the public’s outcry.