What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
The Department of Commerce (DOC) has an increasingly important role in ensuring the resiliency of the nation’s critical supply chains. These responsibilities stem from directives found in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act, Biden Executive Order 14017 and its 100-day supply chain review, and potentially from the United States Innovation and Competition Act. The hearing will inform Committee oversight as DOC executes these responsibilities, highlighting critical supply chains such as in the aerospace and semiconductor sectors.
Biden competition order will take aim at broadband
President Joe Biden will encourage the Federal Communications Commission to reinstate net neutrality rules and make it easier for consumers to comparison shop for internet service as part of a wide-ranging executive order expected to be signed July 9. The White House wants internet service providers to offer a "broadband nutrition label" detailing their internet packages to give consumers more transparency when they're buying service. The executive order will also encourage the FCC to reinstate net neutrality rules prohibiting the blocking, throttling or paid prioritization of web traffic t
What regional leaders want from Biden’s infrastructure bill
Now with a major congressional negotiation on infrastructure underway and a new presidential administration in place, federal leaders have a historic opportunity to revisit past policies to better support today’s metropolitan leaders and their contemporary ambitions. That process, though, must start with a clear understanding of what regional leaders need—and not just infrastructure agencies, but also the business leadership and community groups that all collaborate to build competitive, inclusive, and resilient economies.
House Judiciary Republicans Release Agenda for Taking on Big Tech
House Judiciary Republicans released their agenda to hold Big Tech accountable. This agenda presents specific proposals that will speed up and strengthen antitrust enforcement, hold Big Tech accountable for its censorship, and increase transparency around Big Tech’s decisions through:
Telehealth has proven to be a vital lifeline during the pandemic, highlighting its ability to significantly expand access to valuable services at lower costs of care. It is critical to take specific actions to eliminate barriers associated with the equitable deployment and utilization of telehealth services. Affordable connection to the Internet is a link for vulnerable communities to access through telehealth care they need.
Topics selected for FCC open meeting agendas will be posted on the Commission's website approximately three weeks prior to the Commission's next monthly meeting. The Commission will also issue a public notice of the "Commission Meeting Agenda" one week before the meeting and announce at that time the items that are scheduled for the agenda.
- Promoting More Resilient Networks
The Commission considered a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to examine the Wireless Network Resiliency Cooperative Framework, the FCC’s network outage reporting rules, and strategies to address the effect of power outages on communications networks. (PS Docket Nos. 21-346, 15-80; ET Docket No. 04-35) - Reassessing 4.9 GHz Band for Public Safety
TPRC promotes interdisciplinary thinking on current and emerging issues in communications and the Internet by disseminating and discussing new research relevant to policy questions in the U.S. and around the world. It serves researchers, policymakers, and members of the private sector and civil society, from students to well-established practitioners.
Broadband Fight Pits Ultra-Fast Fiber Fans Versus Cable Industry
A large coalition of industry groups and public interest lobbyists are pushing Congress to invest in “future-proof” high-speed fiber networks in a battle over how to divvy up the $65 billion proposed to expand broadband internet service. The spending is included in an infrastructure package tentatively agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators and President Joe Biden.
Louisiana planning $180 Million broadband internet expansion effort
Louisiana intends to spend $180 million over three years on grants to telecommunication firms that construct broadband internet infrastructure in underserved communities, hoping to lessen a technology gap exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Louisiana lawmakers earmarked millions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid to try to address the state's digital divide by subsidizing broadband projects. Gov.