WASHINGTON, March 10, 2010 – The Federal Communications Commission plans to release the National Broadband Plan on Tuesday, March 16, at its March open meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at agency headquarters at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, February 18, 2010 – A coalition of public interest groups on Wednesday called on the Federal Communications Commission to include a set of ambitious benchmarks and policies in the agency’s upcoming national broadband plan.
The agency will discuss aspects of the national broadband plan, now due on March 17, 2010, at the February monthly meeting being held on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON, February 11, 2010 – Broadband Census News LLC on Thursday released, for FREE, the full-length video of the Broadband Breakfast Club event on February 9, 2010: “Setting the Table for the National Broadband Plan: Collecting and Using Broadband Data.”
WASHINGTON, January 8, 2010 – With just over 30 days until the unveiling of the national broadband plan, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has asked congress for more time. In a letter (PDF) to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, he says that the creation of the plan is one of the largest undertakings the FCC has ever tried. He said that the FCC needs more time to get more information from the public. The extension is a short one; with a new due date of March 17.
WASHINGTON, December 18, 2009 – The Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies on Friday called on the Federal Communications Commission to request public comment on how public policy can best facilitate the transition of the public switched telephone network to a broadband network.
WASHINGTON, December 16, 2009 – Competition is key to a truly successful national broadband plan according to a report released on Wednesday by advocacy group Free Press. The report, entitled “Making the National Broadband Plan Work for America,”is a a public interest guide that lays out the central questions that must be answered by the Federal Communications Commission,” Free Press said in a release.
The American Library Association on Wednesday submitted comments (PDF) to the Federal Communications Commission addressing broadband adoption. The ALA filed the comments in response to the FCC’s call for input about adoption as it relates to the National Broadband Plan.
WASHINGTON, November 6, 2009 – The corporate communications firm Qorvis has brought Nicole Silverman on board to work on technology and telecom policy issues and reputation management for foreign governments. Silverman, whose title will be director, was most recently an account manager in Waggener Edstrom’s public affairs practice where she oversaw the development and implementation of international public affairs programs for Fortune 500 companies, foundations and trade associations. At Waggener Edstrom, Silverman developed an expertise in telecom policy.
The FCC will hold its second workshop on broadband opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses on November 12. The discussion will focus on the availability of financing for the growth and purchase of telecommunications facilities related to broadband technologies. The workshop will also explore capitalization in cable, wireless, TV and radio broadcasting, common carrier facilities, and ancillary services. The first hearing was in August, which discussed whether small and disadvantaged businesses are ready to take advantage of the existing broadband technologies. Attendants can register in advance online.
The Federal Communications Commission will host a broadband field hearing in conjunction with Georgetown University Medical Center on The Role of Broadband in Improving Public Safety Communications and Emergency Response. The hearing will focus on the specific broadband requirements for America’s first responders and emergency medical personnel, how to maximize broadband’s potential in serving first responders with applications and new technologies, and the cost of implementing such communications technologies. At the core of the discussion will be how the National Broadband Plan now being developed by the Commission can help bring attention to, and address, these critical public safety issues.