“Where to From Here: A Look at the Current Administration's Communications Related Policies”

1. “Where to From Here: A Look at the Current Administration's Communications Related Policies” Presenter: Ron Del Sesto

2. Overview • The Obama Administration's Broadband Policy Objectives • Implementing Broadband Policy Through a Multifaceted Approach • The New FCC • The FCC's Broadband Activities • Other Issues Facing the FCC • Federal Trade Commission • FTC's Priorities • Conclusion

3. The Obama Administration's Broadband Policy Objectives • White House Focus on Infrastructure • Necessary for long-term economic prosperity • Interrelated Infrastructure • Digital Divide • Economic Stimulus Plan

4. Implementing Broadband Policy Through a Multifaceted Approach • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 • Signed into law on February 17, 2009 • Approximately $787 billion • Goals: • Job Creation • Education, Health Care, Energy • Infrastructure Modernization

5. Implementing Broadband Policy Through a Multifaceted Approach • Three Agencies Responsible for Effectuating/Coordinating Broadband Policy: • National Telecommunications and Information Administration • Rural Utilities Service • Federal Communications Commission

6. Implementing Broadband Policy Through a Multifaceted Approach • National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) • Agency Background • Administrator • Larry Strickling • Broadband Deployment Role • $4.7 billion Allocated for Broadband Grants under “BTOP” (Broadband Technology Opportunities Program)

7. Implementing Broadband Policy Through a Multifaceted Approach • Rural Utilities Service (RUS) • Agency Background • Administrator • Jonathan Adelstein • Broadband Deployment Role • $2.5 billion Allocated for Grants and Loans under “BIP” (Broadband Initiatives Program)

8. Implementing Broadband Policy Through a Multifaceted Approach • Federal Communications Commission • No stimulus money allocated to FCC • Role is “advisory;” provides consultation to NTIA/RUS • Provides informal (interpretation) “arbitration” of disputes among awardees and parties requesting interconnection • Congress gave FCC other tasks (below)

9. Implementing Broadband Policy Through a Multifaceted Approach • NTIA/RUS Broadband Funding Process • Joint Application • RUS focus is rural and remote areas • NTIA focus is unserved/underserved communities • Areas not mutually exclusive • Significant Application Materials • Multiple Rounds of Funding • Project Timeframes

10. Implementing Broadband Policy Through a Multifaceted Approach • Other Recovery Act Broadband Programs • Broadband Mapping • Computer Centers • Sustainable Adoption

11. Implementing Broadband Policy Through a Multifaceted Approach • Stimulus II? • Unemployment worse than initially expected • Discretionary spending not happening quickly enough • Political issues • Budget deficit

12. The "New" FCC • Chairman Julius Genachowski • Michael Copps • Robert McDowell • Mignon L. Clyburn • Meredith Atwell Baker

13. FCC's Broadband Activities • Broadband Policy Report to Congress • Due February 2010 • Goals • Increase deployment • Increase utilization • Affordability • Advance consumer welfare • Timing

14. FCC's Broadband Activities • Broadband Policy Report to Congress • Key FCC Staff • Broadband Workshops • (www.broadband.gov) • Second Broadband NOI • Defining Broadband • “Blogband”

15. Other Issues Facing the FCC • Wireless Issues • Exclusive Handset Arrangements • Sua Sponte Letters to Apple, AT&T and Google • Network Neutrality • USF Reform • Intercarrier Compensation Reform

16. Federal Trade Commission • The current Chairman is Jon Leibowitz • Four Commissioners: • Pamela Jones Harbour • William E. Kovacic • J. Thomas Rosch • An Open Position

17. FTC Priorities • Behavioral Advertising • 2009 FTC Staff Report Principles • Privacy • "Mystery Charges"

18. Conclusion