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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion