Upcoming event
WITNESSES
The Honorable Jonathan Adelstein
President and CEO, Wireless Infrastructure Association
Dr. Coleman Bazelon
Principal, The Brattle Group
The Committee provides advice to the Assistant Secretary to assist in developing and maintaining spectrum management policies that enable the United States to maintain or strengthen its global leadership role in the introduction of communications technology, services, and innovation; thus expanding the economy, adding jobs, and increasing international trade, while at the same time providing for the expansion of existing technologies and supporting the country's homeland security, national defense, and other critical needs of government missions.
10:30 – 10:50AM
Registration
10:50 – 11:00AM
Welcoming Remarks
Sallie James, Director of Development, Cato Institute
11:00 – 11:40AM
Keynote Address—Defending Free Speech Even When It Hurts
Susan N. Herman, President of the American Civil Liberties Union
11:40AM – 12:10PM
Prospects for Federal Tax Reform
Join SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen for an exclusive conversation with FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly. Commissioner O'Rielly is an influential force at the Federal Communications Committee and will provide valuable insight into the Universal Service programs.
Antitrust has, almost overnight, become the subject of an intense policy debate, driven by the growth of populist sentiment combined with the emergence of economically and politically powerful companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft.
The emergence of hybrid infrastructure—infrastructure that integrates digital technology with physical infrastructure—will be more efficient and sustainable than the concrete roads and bridges of yesteryear. Indeed, these solutions are very much in need, as the United States recently earned a D+ on a infrastructure report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers, with $4.6 trillion in necessary repairs. But new technologies raise the question of whether to prioritize maintaining existing infrastructure or deploying innovative new infrastructure.
Just eight years after completing the analog-to-digital TV transition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is poised to authorize a transition to “Next-Gen TV,” with a vote scheduled for the agency’s open meeting on Nov. 16. The proposed order would authorize a “voluntary” transition that would not immediately force consumers to buy a new TV. Still, contentious issues remain in play concerning whether some viewers will lose local channels and whether pay TV providers or consumers will ultimately bear other costs related to the transition.
What's the FCC Doing to the Lifeline Program?
[Commentary] On November 16, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on an item that will impact the commission's Lifeline program, which provides discounts on telecommunications services for qualifying low-income consumers. On October 26, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released a draft of the item in advance of the November vote. Here we break down the rules that the FCC plans on changing immediately at the November meeting, the new proposals the FCC is seeking comment on, and the more general evaluation the FCC is launching into the program's "ultimate purposes." [Kevin Taglang]
The hearing will examine the use and benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT) in rural communities, and the infrastructure needs necessary to advance the IoT market to ensure rural America has access to products and devices that are driving the digital economy.
Witnesses