VOL. 14, NO. 3
January 16, 2018
 
UPCOMING EVENTS

February 6-7, 2018
Policy Summit
Thermo Credit LLC Extends $1 Million Line of Credit to C3 Cloud Computing Concepts

AIRBAND GRANT DEADLINE
JANUARY 31
Microsoft is now accepting applications for the Microsoft Airband Grant Fund, which seeks to spark innovation to overcome barriers to affordable internet access, through supporting high-potential, early-stage startups creating innovative new technologies, services and business models.

Applications will be accepted until midnight PST on January 31, 2018.
FCC DEADLINES

January 17

January 23

January 24

January 26

February 2

February 16

February 22

February 23

Speakers from Twitter, Facebook, Microsoft, Windstream Featured on Policy Summit Agenda
Hear from the best and brightest in business and policy at The INCOMPAS 2018 Policy Summit, Wednesday, February 7, at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. 

Combining keynotes from FCC and Congressional leadership, and panel discussions featuring top executives from communications and internet companies, the INCOMPAS Policy Summit focuses on the most pressing issues at the intersection of business and policy. 

Speakers from Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft,  ADT, Bandwidth, Fatbeam, TeleQuality Communications, Telestax, Windstream,  Goldberg, Godles, Wiener & Wright LLP, Hogan Lovells, Kelley Drye and Morgan Lewis, will discuss: 
  • Building the Future Deployment Solutions for Fiber & Wireless Infrastructure  
  • Streaming Revolution: Content & Services in an Over-the-Top World 
  • Competition Comes Home: How Connected Devices and the Internet of Things Will Shape the Future 
  • C-Level Perspective on the Technology of Tomorrow: The Future of Business Strategy
And stay informed on the latest topics at the FCC and on Capitol Hill through keynote addresses from: 
  • FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn 
  • Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) 
  • Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) 
  • Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT)
Stay and Network
After keynotes and panel sessions, stay and network with attendees during The Policy Summit closing happy hour.

For more information, or to learn how you can sponsor this premier policy event, email Jenny Gilbert.
President Trump Announces Rural Broadband Deployment Agenda 
Last week, President Donald Trump announced the release of the Rural Prosperity Task Force report outlining the administration's rural broadband deployment agenda.

President Donald Trump spoke to these priorities during a speech at the American Farm Bureau Convention, where he also announced an executive order and stressed the importance of rural broadband deployment as it enables American businesses to compete in a 21st century economy.

In response to the President's actions, INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering, said: "We commend President Trump for his action today to spur rural broadband deployment, stressing the need to bring faster networks that give our businesses the chance to compete. If more business competition is the goal, then it makes sense that competition policy that helps new broadband providers is where we start.

"Deployment in rural America, both wired and wireless, will only happen if we eliminate monopoly, roadblocks on poles, buildings and infrastructure at the state and local level that have prevented new network builders from delivering faster, more affordable high-speed internet to American consumers. It is unacceptable that over two-thirds of Americans only have one or two choices for broadband providers.

"As we work to streamline and remove regulatory barriers to deployment, it is important that government investments remain open to, and encourage, innovation from new companies seeking to get into the game. Policies that protect monopoly deployment deliver slower, more expensive results, and it is our hope that President Trump and all policy makers will embrace and unleash the power of competition policy to promote faster, more affordable broadband for rural and underserved markets." 
Commissioner Car Nominated to Full Five-Year Term on FCC
Last week, the White House sent to the Senate the nomination of Commissioner Brendan Carr to a full five-year term on the FCC.

INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering congratulated Commissioner Carr, saying "we look forward to continuing to work with him on a deployment agenda that brings more competition and faster speeds to American consumers and businesses."