Agenda

The Senate Commerce Committee will consider the following legislative measures and nominations:

The Senate Commerce Committee will consider six nominations including:

• Michael Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be an Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy

Broadband access today is as varied as communities across Minnesota. Some enjoy a gig, others are working hard for any service, and the rest are somewhere in between. This conference is for all communities, regardless of where they are on the spectrum – because we’ve learned that having broadband isn’t enough. It takes inspiration, encouragement and guidance to reap the full benefits. We’ll be talking about how to make the most of what you’ve got and/or get more.

This year’s conference will shine a light on local broadband heroes as well as look at several aspects of broadband:

The Federal Communications Commission proposes to make permanent the category two budget approach adopted in 2014 (the ‘‘category two’’ budget approach consists of five-year budgets for schools and libraries that provide a maximum amount of funding to support internal connections needed for Wi-Fi within school and library buildings). The Commission also seeks comment on potential modifications that could simplify the category two budget approach and decrease the administrative burden on schools and libraries, as well as how to transition to a permanent extension of the budget approach.

A week doesn’t go by without the term “5G” showing up in business and technology headlines here and abroad. Why the fascination among so many with all things 5G? If technologists can be believed, 5G broadband networks will revolutionize how we communicate, do business, become educated, participate in the political process, and more. But will the new networks have a positive competitive effect on consumer broadband services? Will these 5G networks open up new avenues of competition between and among different parts of the Internet ecosystem?

In 2012, Congress created the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to develop, build and operate a nationwide, broadband network that equips first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities. FirstNet has made significant strides in delivering on this mandate. Today, nearly 7,250 agencies utilize more than 600,000 connections on the FirstNet network. In addition, over 100 devices with public safety-focused features and functions are approved and certified for use on the FirstNet network.