INCOMPAS News -- January 19, 2021

Vol. 17, No. 4

January 25, 2021

INCOMPAS Policy Summit to Examine Broadband, Robocalls, Section 230 and More

FCC Commissioner Starks Added as Keynote

We have a great agenda for The 2021 INCOMPAS Policy Summit, which will take place virtually February 8-10.

Just Added!

Keynote by FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, who will join Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr as featured speakers throughout the Policy Summit.

During the Policy Summit, we also will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the 1996 Telecommunications Act - what has been accomplished over the past quarter century and taking a look at the future of competition policy.

Panel discussions will cover topics such as:

Solving the Digital Divide’s Homework Gap
Expanding Broadband – Unleashing a Better 5G Future
FCC and Industry Perspectives on Robocall Compliance
Funding Universal Broadband – A Review of RDOF
Streamlining Broadband Buildout – State and Federal Solutions
Universal Broadband: The Role of the Public and Private Sector in Bringing Broadband to all Americans
Section 230: Cooling to Consensus

Jessica Rosenworcel Named Acting FCC Chairwoman

On January 21, the Biden Administration announced the elevation of Jessica Rosenworcel to serve as acting FCC chairwoman.

“INCOMPAS wishes to congratulate Jessica Rosenworcel, who has been named acting chairwoman of the FCC. Jessica has already etched her name in the broadband hall of fame for transforming the way schools, libraries and children access the internet, and her battle to close the homework gap has inspired a nation," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. “A fighter for families, competition and an open internet, Jessica is the right person, with the right experience, to help lead our nation to a better broadband recovery that brings faster speeds and lower prices to millions of American families and small businesses. This is a great honor for her and her family, and we look forward to working together.”

FCC Releases 14th Broadband Deployment Report

The FCC, under Chairman Pai's leadership, last week released its 14th Broadband Deployment Report, finding for a third consecutive year that advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed on a reasonable and timely basis and the digital divide continues to narrow.

The report noted that since the last broadband deployment report, the number of Americans in areas without access to at least 25/3 Mbps has dropped from 18.1 million at the end of 2018 to fewer than 14.5 million at the end of 2019, a decrease of more than 20%. Also, more than three-quarters of those in newly served areas, nearly 3.7 million, are located in rural areas, bringing the number of rural Americans in areas served by at least 25/3 Mbps to nearly 83%.

Executive Order Seeks to Expand Broadband for Students

More federal help is coming for schools attempting to reopen campuses or teach students remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic. President Biden signed an executive order on January 21 directing federal agencies to get schools resources for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and vaccinations for teachers.

The executive order also encourages the FCC to use funding for broadband connections to support remote learning in students’ homes. That step was opposed over the past year by former Chairman Pai, who argued the FCC was restricted by law from using existing funds for internet connectivity outside of school buildings. One estimate last fall found 17 million school-age children lack adequate internet access to attend classes at home. Almost $7 billion is needed to close the “digital divide,” advocates said.

Rep. Latta Named Ranking Republican on Communications Panel

The ranking Republican on the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee will again be Rep. Bob Latta (Ohio). The ranking Republican on the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee will be Rep. Gus Bilirakis (Fla.).

Republican members of the Communications Subcommittee for the 117th Congress include Reps. Steve Scalise (La.), Brett Guthrie (Ky.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), Bilirakis, Bill Johnson (Ohio), Billy Long (Mo.), Richard Hudson (N.C.), Markwayne Mullin (Okla.), Tim Walberg (Mich.) and Earl (Buddy) Carter.