1. Presenter: Ron Del Sesto
“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 (
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 Privacy "Mystery Charges"
2009 FTC Staff Report Principles
Privacy
"Mystery Charges"

18. Conclusion