The 2023 Policy Summit schedule will be availalbe in February. Until then, here's a sneak peek at our confirmed keynote speakers and planned panel discussions and presentations.
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Federal Infrastructure Funding - One Year Later
Following the historic passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Act (IIJA), where does implementation of the Capital Projects Fund, BEAD and the Middle Mile programs stand one year later? Federal government administrators tasked with managing these broadband programs join us to share the challenges faced during the past year and what to expect in the future for program implementation at the state and local level.
FCC Bureau Chiefs’ 2023 Priorities and Perspectives
The FCC has several open proceedings that impact the availability and affordability of fixed, mobile and satellite broadband services, as well as ongoing oversight of Universal Service Fund programs, consumer protections, spectrum management and licensing, and policies that ensure access to broadband and telecommunications services for all consumers, including those with disabilities and those who reside on Tribal Lands. In this panel, the FCC Bureau Chiefs will discuss their respective Bureau’s priorities for 2023 and the work the agency is doing to support the availability and affordability of broadband and the proceedings that will enable and promote more competition in the marketplace.
The Model for Spectrum Sharing: 12 GHz Is Key to Growing 5G Economy
Spectrum is finite, with limited available resources in the pipeline to help meet the nation's growing demand. In recent years, demand for mobile data and wireless solutions has exploded, while the technology supporting spectrum sharing and flexible uses in mid-band spectrum has become more robust. With 500 MHz of contiguous mid-band spectrum, the 12 GHz band can be put to immediate use for next-generation connectivity, including 5G and fixed wireless, while protecting DBS and FSS incumbents from harmful interference. Our panelists will discuss the FCC’s ongoing proceeding on this issue and explore how expanding the 12 GHz band is critical to establishing the 5G economy, advancing the FCC’s goal of closing the digital divide, and putting U.S. spectrum policy on the vanguard for the next decade.
Investing in the Networks and Reducing Deployment Barriers to Secure Our Digital Future
With more than $48 billion set to be invested in the nation’s broadband network infrastructure, policy makers and industry must be laser-focused on speeding deployment so that this once-in-a-generation funding can ensure that those on the wrong side of the digital divide finally have access to high-speed broadband services. Now is the time for federal and state officials to reexamine and streamline processes that serve as significant barriers to fast deployment, such as unreasonable delays and costs associated with local permitting processes and access to poles, conduit, and multiple tenant environments (MTEs). Our panelists will put a spotlight on what the FCC, local policymakers, and industry can do to remove these obstacles so that federal funding can be invested to extend network infrastructure fast and provide the nation with robust access to the modern internet and secure our digital future.
Insights into Tech Investments in Digital Infrastructure
David Abecassis, parter at Analysys Mason, will present on its latest research and findings on the investment in digital infrastructure and the mechanisms through which freely negotiated interconnection on the internet, underpinned by investment by all stakeholders, is delivering cost-effective, high-quality online experiences for consumers and businesses. He also will discuss the ongoing public policy debate in the U.S., Europe and Asia on how to fund network infrastructure deployment and operations as internet traffic continues to grow with new applications and services being offered around the globe.
USF is Broken. How Do We Fix It?
The Universal Service Fund, which funds programs like E-Rate and Lifeline and offers support to deploy and sustain service in some of the hardest-to-reach parts of our country, is under significant financial duress and is being challenged in numerous courts. We can all agree that the USF needs immediate reform...but this might be all that folks agree on. How do we address the differing views? Do we need all the USF programs and are they working? Who should pay into the system to keep these programs funded? Why is it important to keep funding USF programs when there’s so many other broadband funding mechanisms these days?
Cybersecurity Policy Trends
Our digital economy and critical infrastructure is under constant attack from a variety of threat actors from simple thieves to hostile nation states. While companies and governments continue to make improvements to their cybersecurity, there is much that remains to be done. Venable’s cybersecurity expert John Banghart will provide an overview of the current cybersecurity threat landscape, innovative ways companies, governments and institutions are responding to those threats, and what government policies can and should be adopted to foster increased cyber-security. John will also discuss new compliance challenges stemming from the new compliance and reporting requirements of the newly enacted CIRCIA statute (the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act), as well as the possibility that the FCC could expand E-Rate funding to help nation’s educational institutions respond to cybersecurity threats.
The Impact of Broadband on Precision Agriculture
Our nation's farmers and ranchers require more than the right equipment, fertilizer and climate to optimize crop yields and ensure healthy livestock. Broadband and fiber are now requisite for precision agriculture, and to support other federal and state initiatives, such as the USDA’s ReConnect program. Learn from panelists about what Congress, the USDA and state broadband offices are doing to better assess and advance the deployment of broadband internet access service on unserved agriculture land to promote precision agriculture.