President Obama and Technology After 7 Months

1
President Obama and Technology After 7 Months

• 2009 Alliance for Community Media International
  Conference Exhibition
• July 16, 2009
• Gloria Tristani, Of Counsel

2
President Obama and Technology

• Let us be the generation that reshapes our
  economy to compete in the digital age. Lets set
  high standards for our schools and give them the
  resources they need to succeed Lets make
  college more affordable,and lets lay down
  broadband lines through the heart of inner cities
  and rural towns and all across America.
• - Obama Presidential Announcement Speech,
  February 10, 2007

3
Obama Tech Agenda Broadband

• Define Broadband appropriately
• Universal Service reform
• Optimize use of wireless spectrum
• Broadband to every school, library, household and
  hospital
• Universal Broadband

4
Obama Tech Agenda Network Neutrality

• Fundamental to democracy and freedom
• Two Broadband providers (telco/cable) not
  sufficient
• Providers should not be able to charge
  discriminatory rates, ration capacity or
  prioritize traffic
• Depending on court review of Comcast/Bit Torrent
  ruling may require legislative solution

5
Obama Tech Agenda Diverse Media Ownership

• Revisit media ownership rules
• Create ownership opportunities for minority-owned
  businesses
• Promote new media outlets for diverse viewpoints
• Clarify broadcasters public interest obligations
• Finalize localism proceedings

6
Obama Tech Agenda Transparent and Connected
Democracy

• New Cabinet Level Chief Technology Officer Aneesh
  Chopra
• Cutting-edge technologies for government
  transparency and Accountability
• Government data online in universally Accessible
  Formats
• Modernize Internal and Citizen to government
  communication

7
Obama Tech Agenda - Use Technology To Help Solve
Pressing Problems

• To lower health care costs
• To address environmental and energy-related
  problems
• To modernize public safety networks

8
Obama Tech Agenda - Improve Americas
Competitiveness

• Competitive markets where entrepreneurs and small
  businesses thrive while consumers and investors
  protected
• Step up review of mergers
• Reinvigorate Antitrust

9
Obama Tech Agenda -Broadband Funding

• 7.2 billion in funding
• 4.2 Billion Dept. of Commerce NTIA BTOP funding
• 3.7 to 3.8 billion for Infrastructure
• 200 million for Public Computer Centers
• 350 million for Adoption Programs
• 350 million for Broadband mapping

10
Obama Tech Agenda Broadband Funding

• 2.4 billion in Dept. of Agriculture RUS
  Broadband Initiative Program (BIP) grants, loan
  and loan/grants combinations
• 75 of areas to be served must be in a rural area
  without sufficient access to high speed broadband
  to facilitate economic development

11
Obama Tech Agenda Broadband Funding

• First Round Issued on July 1
• 4 of the 7.2 billion available for Broadband
  infrastructure, public computer centers and
  Broadband adoption
• Applications for first round due by 500 pm EST
  on August 14, 2009
• First round appears weighed to rural areas
• Application requirements may change in future
  funding rounds

12
Obama Tech Agenda -New Leadership

• Lawrence Strickling confirmed and sworn in as
  NTIA Administrator
• Former FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein slated
  to head RUS
• Tech issues receiving special attention from
  White House staff

13
Obama Tech Agenda -At the FCC

• Acting Chair Copps Set New Tone
• More cooperation between FCC bureaus and offices
• Better communications between commissioners
• More transparency and input from citizens and
  non-traditional stakeholders
• Better use of FCC Advisory Committees
• Oversaw the Digital Transition

14
Obama Tech Agenda -At the FCC

• New Chair Julius Genachowski
• Key player in Obama campaign
• Wide public service and private sector experience
• Understands technologys transformative power

15
Obama Tech Agenda -Genachowski Goals

• Universal Broadband that Is robust, affordable
  and open
• Policies that promote job creation, competition,
  innovation and investment
• Protecting and empowering families and consumers
• Public safety communications networks with the
  best technology

16
Obama Tech Agenda Genachowski Goals

• A vibrant media landscape that serves the public
  interest
• The United States leading the world in mobile
  communications
• A new FCC website

17
Obama Tech Agenda -Other FCC Implications

• Less emphasis on deregulation
• More-competition less incumbent-friendly less
  prone to grant forbearance petitions
• Enhanced merger reviews and conditions

18
Obama Tech Agenda Other FCC Implications

• Consumer protection in wireless and other areas
• Enhanced technology for people with disabilities
• Protect children from inappropriate content using
  technological solutions

19
Obama Tech Agenda - FCC Team Almost in Place

• Commissioner Michael Copps and Robert McDowell
  currently serving
• Confirmation hearings for FCC Nominees Mignon
  Clyburn and Meredith Baker to be held on July 15
• Chair Genachowski has named key staff

20
Obama Tech Agenda - Pending at the FCC

• National Broadband Plan For Our Future, GN Docket
  No. 09-51
• Reply comments due July 21
• Washington, D.C. staff workshops starting in
  August
• Comments on staff Workshops due September 11
• Also seeking comment through FCC 706 proceeding
• Dedicated website www.broadband.gov

21
Obama Tech Agenda Pending at The FCC

• Other Broadband-Related Proceedings
• Broadband Data Collection, WC Docket No. 7-38
• International Comparison and Consumer Survey, GN
  Docket NO. 09-47
• High-Cost Universal Service, WC Docket No.
  05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45
• White Spaces Proceeding, ET Docket No. 04-280

22
Obama Tech Agenda -Pending at the FCC

• Petitions for Declaratory Ruling Regarding
  Public, Educational and Governmental Channels, MB
  Docket No. 09-13
• ACM and the City of Lansing petitions challenge
  ATTs U-verse PEG product
• City of Dearborn petition, involves Comcasts
  digital slamming of PEG channels

23
Obama Tech Agenda -Advocating at the FCC

• Opportunity to educate Chair and Commissioners on
  ACM Issues
• Opportunity to push the Obama public interest
  agenda
• Continue to get involved formally and informally
  in FCC proceedings
• Visit FCC Chair and Commissioners and showcase
  PEG
• Participate in FCC Advisory Committees

24
Obama Tech Agenda Advocating in DC

• Keep Congress up-to-date on ACM issues
• Advocate before NTIA and other agencies
• Advocate before White House staff