NYCBAC Queens hearing

New York Broadband Advisory Committee

For more info, see NYC Broadband Advisory Committee.

Queens Public Hearing - Mar 3 2008

01 David Birdsell - Introductoions

• Neil Pariser
• Tom Dunn
• Anthony Townsend
• David Wicks
• Wendy Lader
• Mitchel Ahlbaum

02 Cindy Freidmutter - Welcome 03 Former U.S. Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD)

• Sen Pressler is author of the 1996 Telecommunications Act

Gale: should e-rate be expanded?

• Yes. Pressler is working on an article that will recommend that the 1996 act be brought up to date particularly the Snowe-Rockefeller amendments. It's important that the NYCBAC make its concerns known to Washington.

04 Gale Brewer & James Sanders - introductory remarks

• Work of this Committee is combined with the Economic Development Corp.
• Technology is fast changing.
• NYC ahead of the curve compared to other cities.
• Public participation is vital.

05 Frank Pasquale, Professor, Seton Hall University School of Law (doc)

• Broadband infrastructure essential to economy.
• Digital divide 1) between rich and poor in the USA.
• Digital Divide 2) between USA and other advanced countries.
• Government co-investment needed to meet goals.

Gale : How do we achieve goals without federal support?

• While maintaining net neutrality explore taxation of successful application providers.

06 Joshua Breitbart, Policy Director, Peoples Production House (doc)

• PPH teaches radio production & media literacy including tech in NYC middle & high schools.
• New program - Digital Expansion Initiative to educate public on broadband access.
• Brietbart will submit comments on CD from field interviews with immigrants and others without access to the committee.

Tom: Does PPH work with community access organizations?

• Community grant funded video project with MNN for high schools on explaining internet technology.

Gale: Vis-a-vis PPH 'Road NYC' program the committee would be glad to meet with immigrants, perhaps with simultaneous translation, to discuss broadband.

• This could be done. Meetings would not necessarily have to be lengthy.

David: Top two suggestions for improving public engagement on broadband issue?

• Evening meetings
• Update website

07 Takeshi Utsumi, PhD, Global University System / Columbia University

• creating Global University System HQ in Tampere, Finland
• Japan & Korea way ahead of USA