Broadband public policy

PUBLIC POLICY PLAYERS Federal government State government Private sector Citizens Public policy enacted at the federal, state and local levels impact the delivery and availability of broadband services to your community. These policies set the rules and regulations that impact how private businesses (phone companies, cable companies, Wireless Internet Service Providers, etc.) and governments can be involved in increasing the availability of broadband services across the country.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Congress FCC - Federal Communications Commission Under the public interest, the FCC can enact rules that affect broadcasting --The FCC is a major force in the creation of electronic media policy Also, analyzes trends …try to predict future policy issues The Telecommunications Act of 1996 is the law deals with broadband infrastructure. This act was created to increase competition in the telecommunication industry and increase the availability of advanced (broadband) telecommunication services. Robert Crandall’s "Competition and Chaos: U.S. Telecommunications Since the 1996 Telecom Act" is an excellent resource to understand the impact of the 1996 Telecommunication act on the delivery and availability of broadband services. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the federal agency that has the most direct impact on broadband policy. This agency writes the rules to enforce the telecommunication act, collects and analyzes data to predict future policy issues surrounding policy issues. Congress looks over the FCC’s shoulder The US Congress is an important part of broadcasting and cable regulation because of its power to enact and amend laws Congress can hold public hearings to highlight how congress feels about a topic Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet - the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, has served as the principal guide for the House in matters relating to the promotion of commerce and to the public’s health and marketplace interests.  Today, it maintains principal responsibility for legislative oversight relating to telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health, air quality and environmental health, the supply and delivery of energy, and interstate and foreign commerce in general. The Committee is divided into six subcommittees one of which is the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.  Subcommittee on Communications – The U.S.Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has a subcommittee that focuses on communications

STATE GOVERNMENT State public utilities commissions Municipal offices of telecommunications Many states have created legislation that covers areas not specifically touched on in federal law. Examples of state laws that influence broadband include allowing or prohibiting local government to deliver broadband services, laws dealing with the use of public right of ways for broadband infrastructure and spelling out the rights of local governments to require franchises for delivery of video and broadband services. Every state has a public utility commission that regulates the rates and services of utilities. Faced with issues of unequal access and price many local officials are thinking of ways to get their communities connected without waiting for the traditional providers. Efforts of municipal delivery models have sparked the states role in information policy. Some states such as Pennsylvania have passed bills that prevent local communities from offering competitive broadband services. To see what is happening in your state and others go to.

PRIVATE SECTOR Government affairs divisions Public policy departments Lobbyists Ex: AT&T, Verizon, SBC, Adelphia, Time Warner, Microsoft Government affairs divisions - take the voice of business to all levels of government to send this strong message that government should be instituting policy that fosters an environment of growth and opportunity. Industry Lobbyists – 200 year old force in American Politics –serve a necessary function – help lawmakers learn about the impact of legislation on society A lobbyist is a person who represents a special interest and tries to influence legislator’s voting behavior --Networks and trade associations maintain their own lobbyists --major networks all maintain lobbyists --easiest for lobbyists to prevent something than to make it happen The telecommunication industries are very act players in the policy arena. Larger telephone, cable companies and telecommunication equipment companies hire lobbyists to represent their interests to federal and state policy makers and administrations. Some argue that lobbying by special interest groups results in laws that benefit large corporations and do not take the public into consideration. Citizens groups representing the public argue that they can not afford full time lobbyists and policymaking tends to be influenced more by corporations than by average citizens or small groups. Some lawmakers argue that lobbyists actually help to inform those voting on pending bills about the impact on various segments of society. Lobbyists have been part of politics our political system for more than 200 years and will likely continue. The Center for Public Integrity maintains a Web site that tracks lobbying activities on broadcast, cable and telecommunication industries in each state.

CITIZENS Learn about the issues and debate Contact your state and federal legislators Join state or national organizations Vote for state and local officials that support your position Citizens may think they can’t influence policy but there are several ways they can become involved in this important decision making. If broadband is important to your, the first step is to learn and stay up to date on the issue. Learn what groups are active in your area and state. Get on their email lists. Send correspondence to your state and federal legislators or make an appointment with them to talk about the issue. Most citizen groups can’t afford to maintain their own lobbyists but there are a number of national organizations that focus on broadband and the importance of digital tools to rural communities. These groups try to put pressure on Congress and the broadcasters by generating favorable public opinion for their causes. Join a group that most closely aligns with your position. Election of the president and member of Congress is another way that the public can help influence communications policy

PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS Media Access Project Benton Foundation New America Foundation Aspen Institute Heritage Foundation American Enterprise Institute Brookings Institution Free Press Here are several groups that represent citizen’s interest in telecommunication and broadband issues. These groups often claim to be non partisan but each has their own agendas and can have a political leaning.

Southern Rural Development Center FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.ConnectingCommunities.info End slide. Southern Rural Development Center