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/Coordi
  nating 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, ATT 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