Today Wednesday Jun 13 2018 at 2:30pm (18:30 UTC) the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing “Oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration†in Washington DC. This hearing will examine the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the agency’s role in managing federal spectrum and representing U.S. interests with the global internet multistakeholder community. Additionally, the hearing will look at how NTIA is working to deliver a modern National Broadband Map capable of providing better service availability data, along with other major policy issues before NTIA. Sole witness is NTIA administrator David J. Redl.
Webcast: http://bit.ly/2JPmK4N
Witness testimony: http://bit.ly/2JP7EfM
Twitter: @SenateCommerce + @NTIAgov
Today, Tuesday June 12 2018 from 8:30am-Noon EDT the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is holding a Spectrum Policy Symposium in Washindyon DC. The theme is ‘Advancing the Nation’s Spectrum Strategy‘. Speakers include Wilbur Ross, Jr., Secretary of Commerce; Keynote Address: David J. Redl, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator; Rachael Bender, Wireless and International Advisor to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai​; Kelsey Guyselman, Policy Advisor, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Carl Burleson, Acting Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration; Tom Power, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, CTIA; Tom Stroup, President, Satellite Industry Association; Col. Frederick D. Williams, Senior Analyst, Spectrum Policy & International Engagements, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of Defense. The event will be webcast live.
Today, Tuesday March 6 2018 at 10:00 EST, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology is holding a hearing Oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in Washington DC. Sole witness will be David Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The hearing will be webcast live on YouTube.
View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u5wJK1hsfkk
Witness Statement: http://bit.ly/2Fj5qU8
Twitter: #subcommtech + @ntiagov http://bit.ly/ecntiagov
On January 25 2017 the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee held an Open Meeting in Washington DC. CSMAC provides advice to the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on spectrum management policy matters. A recording of the meeting will be streamed at 10am ET (14:00 UTC) today on the Internet Society Livestream Channel.
View on Livestream: https://livestream.com/internetsociety/csmac
Meeting Agenda: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/csmac_agenda_-_january_25_2017.pdf
Topics & Questions: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/csmac_topics_jan_25_2017.pdf
Transcript: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/0125csmac.pdf
NTIA Preliminary Response: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/prelminary_ntia_actions_170125.pdf
Twitter: #CSMAC https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSMAC
On Friday December 9 2016 the US Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Task Force will hold a meeting – Developing the Digital Marketplace for Copyrighted Works – at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The meeting is convened to facilitate constructive, cross-industry dialogue among stakeholders about ways to promote a more robust and collaborative digital marketplace for copyrighted works. The meeting will focus on initiatives in this space that relate to standards development, interoperability across digital registries, and cross-industry collaboration, to understand the current state of affairs, identify challenges, and discuss paths forward. It will also be an opportunity to explore potential approaches to the future adoption and integration into the online marketplace of relevant emerging technologies, such as blockchain technology and open-source platforms. The goal is to provide a platform for discussion, and to determine in what ways government can be of assistance. One outcome could be to establish working groups to tackle specific issues through a multi-stakeholder process. Plenary sessions will be webcast via the USPTO Livestream Channel with live text transcription.
What: Developing the Digital Marketplace for Copyrighted Works
Where: USPTO HQ, Alexandria VA
When: Friday December 9 2016 8:30am-3:45pm EST | 13:30-20:45 UTC
Agenda: http://bit.ly/2h9Avdt
Webcast: http://livestream.com/uspto/DigitalMarketplace16
Transcript: http://www.captionedtext.com/client/embed.aspx?EventID=3128722
Twitter: uspto + copyright http://bit.ly/2h9zMZP
On Wednesday April 13 2016 at 10am The Internet Governance Lab at American University (AU) and the Internet Policy Forum of the Greater Washington DC Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC-DC) will host a book launch of The Turn to Infrastructure in Internet Governance in Washington DC. Authors Derrick Cogburn, Laura DeNardis, Nanette Levinson, will be joined by Dean James Goldgeier of the AU School of International Service, Jeffrey Rutenbeck of the AU School of Communication, plus special guests Kathy Brown of the Internet Society and Fiona Alexander from the NTIA, to discuss the book. A live webcast from the AU a/v team will be mirrored on the Internet Society Livestream Channel.
What: Book launch: The Turn to Infrastructure in Internet Governance
Where: American University, Washington DC
When: Wednesday April 13 2016 10am-11:30am EDT | 14:00-15:30 UTC
Webcast: https://livestream.com/internetsociety/crossroads
Twitter: #isocdc http://twitter.com/hashtag/isocdc
Today Monday March 21 2016 the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in conjunction with Next Century Cities is hold a one-day regional broadband summit, “Digital Northwest†in Seattle WA, to share information to help communities build their broadband capacity and utilization. Featured speakers include federal, state and local officials, policymakers, funders, industry providers, community activists and other broadband leaders. There is a live webcast which includes live text transcription.
What: Digital Northwest Broadband Summit
Where: Seattle, WA
When: Monday, March 21, 2016; from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (PST)
Agenda: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/ncc_ntia_digitalnw_agenda_20160321.pdf
Webcast:Â https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/03212016-digital-northwest-broadband-summit-webcast
Live transcript: https://www.captionedtext.com/client/ViewTranscript.aspx?EventId=2886477
Twitter: #digitalNW https://twitter.com/hashtag/digitalNW
Today Monday September 28 2015 the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), through the BroadbandUSA program, in conjunction with Next Century Cities will hold a one-day regional broadband summit, ‘‘Digital New England,’’ to share information to help communities build their broadband capacity and utilization. The summit will present best practices and lessons learned from broadband network infrastructure buildouts and digital inclusion programs from Maine and surrounding states, including projects funded by NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and State Broadband Initiative (SBI) grant programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The summit will also explore effective business and partnership models. A webcast is available.
What: Digital New England Community Broadband Summit
Where: Holiday Inn By The Bay Portland ME
When: Monday, September 28, 2015 9am-5pm EDT | 13:00 – 21:00 UTC
Agenda: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/digital_new_england_agenda_20150921_public.pdf
Webcast: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2015/09282015-digital-new-england-community-broadband-summit-webcast
Twitter: #DigitalNE
Larry Strickling keynote (latter part)
Download video: MP4 (266MB)
On April 1 2015 9am-4pm EDT, the Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Task Force, led by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), will hold a public meeting – Facilitating the Development of the Online Licensing Environment for Copyrighted Works – In Alexandria VA. In July 2013 the Task Force issued a green paper – Copyright Policy, Creativity and Innovation in the Digital Economy that identified five separate copyright policy issues critical to economic growth, job creation, and cultural development on which the Task Force planned to conduct further work, including the issue of how the government can facilitate the further development of a robust online licensing environment. This public meeting will focus specifically on the development and use of standard identifiers for all types of works of authorship, interoperability among databases and systems used to identify owners of rights and terms of use, and a possible portal for linking to such databases and to licensing platforms. Remote participation will be available via webex. Transcripts and videos of the online environment licensing events will be available after the event at the copyright page of the USPTO website.
What: Facilitating the Development of the Online Licensing Environment for Copyrighted Works
Where: Global Intellectual Property Academy, 600 Dulany St., Alexandria, VA 22314
When: April 1 2015 9am-4pm EST
Federal Register Notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-13/pdf/2015-05765.pdf
Webex: https://uspto-events.webex.com/uspto-events/onstage/g.php?d=994105735&t=a [passcode 123456]
Agenda: http://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/DRAFT-Agenda_for_Efficient_Online_Marketplace_Public_Meeting_for_distribution-2.docx
Twitter: @uspto + #copyright
The Cross Community Working Group (CWG) tasked with developing to produce a consolidated transition proposal for the elements of the IANA Functions relating to the Domain Name System (DNS)  has now published its draft transition proposal for public comment. While emphasizing that the proposal is “interrelated and interdependent ” on results of the  Cross Community Working Group on Enhancing ICANN Accountability (“CCWG-Accountability”), the group proposes the following elements for the transition:
- The current operational performance of the IANA Naming Functions is generally satisfactory to its direct customers, and the community generally believes that the current NTIA oversight arrangement has been successful in ensuring the accountability of the IANA Functions Operator in that role. As such, the objective of the CWG is largely to replicate the roles played by the NTIA in the execution and oversight of the IANA Naming Functions as faithfully as possible, while acknowledging that certain changes will be required to contractual terms and arrangements that are particular to contracts entered into with the U.S. government.
- The CWG does not believe that there is a reason to transition the IANA Naming Functions outside of ICANN concurrent with the IANA Stewardship Transition. Maintaining this part of the status quo implies that the new arrangements post-transition should provide the possibility of replacing ICANN as the IANA Functions Operator at a later date, including by means of a Request for Proposal (RFP) or other tender process.
- The proposed replacement solution should not seek to create another ICANN-like structure with associated costs and complexities.
- The proposal should not seek to replace the role of the ICANN multi-stakeholder community with respect to policy development for the Names Community, nor to affect existing TLDÂ policies or how they are currently applied by the IANA Functions Operator.
- The existing separation between ICANN as a policy body and ICANN as the IANAÂ Functions Operator needs to be reinforced and strengthened.
The group outlines a 4 part structure:
- Contract Co. – This primary function of this entity (likely a non-profit corporation) is to be signatory to the contract with the IANA Functions Operator. This entity should be lightweight and have little or no staff.
- Multistakeholder Review Team (MRT) – The MRT would be a multi-stakeholder body with formally selected representatives from all of the relevant communities (exact composition TBD). The operation of the MRT would be based on the concept of maximum public transparency. The responsibilities of the MRT will include:
- Developing the detailed contract terms for the agreement between Contract Co. and the IANA Functions Operator, based on the key contract terms proposed as part of this proposal and set forth as Annex 3
- Making key decisions for Contract Co. (e.g., whether or not to enter into a rebidding (RFP) process for the operation of the IANA Naming Functions)
- Conducting the IANA Functions Operator Budget Review
- Addressing any escalation issues raised by the Customer Standing Committee (CSC) including the possibility of engaging in enforcement
- Performing certain elements of administration (including periodic performance reviews) currently set forth in the IANA Functions Contract and currently being carried out by the NTIA
- Managing a re-contracting or rebidding (RFP) process for the operation of the IANAÂ Functions, both as an enforcement option and as part of a regular rebidding procedure
The CWG is in the process of discussing whether there is an additional enforcement role for the MRT related to policy implementation by the IANA Functions Operator; specifically, whether the MRT should be able to commence a proceeding before the Independent Appeals Panel.
- Customer Standing Committee (CSC) – While the exact composition is still to be determined, the CSC would primarily be made up of a number of representatives of registry operators, including ccTLD and gTLD registries. Input from the CSC would feed into and inform the work of the MRT. It is possible that the CSC would also include additional individuals with relevant expertise and/or liaisons (or representatives) from otherSO/ACs. The CSC would:
- Work with the MRT to establish Service Levels and Performance Indicators for the performance of the IANA Naming Functions
- Receive reports from the IANA Functions Operator including regular performance reports.
- Review these reports against established service levels and escalate any significant issues to the MRT
- Independent Appeals Panel (IAP) – The CWG recommends that all IANA actions which affect the Root Zone or Root Zone WHOIS database be subject to an independent and binding appeals panel. The Appeals Mechanism should also cover any policy implementation actions that affect the execution of changes to the Root Zone File or Root Zone WHOIS and how relevant policies are applied. This need not be a permanent body, but rather could be handled the same way as commercial disputes are often resolved, through the use of a binding arbitration process using an independent arbitration organization (e.g., ICDR, ICC, AAA) or a standing list of qualified people under rules promulgated by such an organization.
The CWG requests public comments on on some specific aspects of  future root management process, including NTIA involvement, as well as an “alternative” proposal for ICANN itself to take over the IANA functions. Deadline for comments is December 22 2014
Today, Wednesday 19 November 2014 the Greater Washington DC Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC-DC) presents The United Nations and the Internet—What’s Next – A Recap of the #ITU Plenipotentiary . Every four years, the members of the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) hold a Plenipotentiary conference to set goals, determine the ITU’s budget, and elect officers. This three-week meeting, held in Busan, Korea, ended in early November and attracted more attention than usual because of several proposals to give governments more control over the operations of Internet (e.g. routing, IP address allocation, and Internet domain names). Many fear these could enable censorship, violate privacy and limit innovation. Other, less controversial initiatives discussed in Busan would support the growth of broadband in developing countries, make the ITU more inclusive and transparent, and provide better information on how to make networks more secure and robust. This audience participation event will voice many different perspectives on the ITU and its role in shaping the future of the Internet. Discussion Leaders:
Fiona Alexander, Associate Administrator for International Affairs, NTIA; Leslie Martinkovics, Director of International Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Verizon; Carolina Rossini, Vice President, International Policy and Strategy, Public Knowledge; Moderator; Sally Wentworth, Vice President of Global Public Policy Development, The Internet Society. The event will be webcast live on the Internet Society Livestream channel.
What: The United Nations and the Internet—What’s Next – A Recap of the #ITU Plenipotentiary
Where: Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center, Washington DC
When: Wednesday 19 November 2014 4pm-5:30pm EST | 21:00-22:30 UTC
Webcast: https://new.livestream.com/internetsociety/PP14Debrief
Twitter: @isocdc + #plenipot
On April 17 2014 the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) held a public hearing at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. to examine the need for high-speed broadband in the nation’s libraries. The event coincided with Library Week and also the release by the N.T.I.A. of 3 case studies of the effects of BTOP funding on libraries. The program comprised 3 panels – 1) The Vision: What happens when we get it right? This panel explored innovative practices and partnerships and new strategies that have the potential to serve individuals and communities well. 2) The Data: Panelists explored what we know about broadband connections and services in America’s libraries. What are the metrics that were needed to assess whether sufficient connectivity is in place? What are the metrics that could be used to assess success? 3) Moving Forward: a session for exploring solutions for sufficient connectivity in libraries. Amongst those testifying was FCC Chair Tom Wheeler who is actively pursuing E-Rate reform. Video is below. Closed captions are available.
View at CSPAN: http://www.c-span.org/video/?318935-1/broadband-libraries
Twitter: #erate
On Wednesday April 2 2014, at 10.30am EDT, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing Ensuring the Security, Stability, Resilience, and Freedom of the Global Internet in Washington DC. The topic under discussion was the proposed transfer of the IANA stewardship from the United States to the global Internet community. Witnesses were Larry Strickling of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Fadi Chehade of ICANN, former Ambassador David Gross, Steve DelBianco of NetChoice, and Carolina Rossini of the OTI. Video is below
View on YouTube: http://youtu.be/ZXpnMCowcU0
Transcribe on AMARA: http://www.amara.org/en/videos/ydGKvDI5CgLR/
Background memo: http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF16/20140402/102044/HHRG-113-IF16-20140402-SD002-U1.pdf
Twitter: #SubCommTech | #IANA
Topics:
- How will NTIA collect and assess proposals? Has a process been determined? Is there a timeline in place for a decision?
- Does transition of the IANA functions out of NTIA have implications for national security?
- How will NTIA ensure that any transition is smooth and does not affect the daily functioning of the Internet?
- What will be the result if NTIA does not receive a proposal that satisfies the criteria it set forth? Does NTIA plan to exercise the automatic option for renewal on the IANA contract if a satisfactory proposal is not received?
- What sort of multi-stakeholder community would be the ideal replacement for NTIA’s role in the IANA functions?
- What safeguards will be in place to prevent a future change that would allow for governments to seize control?
- What oversight role should Congress play to ensure a successful outcome.
- What will be the practical impact of this transition on Internet users and businesses that utilize the Internet for commerce?
- What will be the practical impact of this transition on Internet users and businesses that utilize the Internet for commerce?
Today (Sunday night in NYC) Monday March 23 2014 there will be two sessions at ICANN 49 in Singapore that address the topic of the  proposed transfer of stewardship of the IANA functions to the global Internet community. The first, at 10:30pm EDT, will officially launch ICANN’s multistakeholder consultation on the matter, and the second, at 5:30am EDT will discuss  ICANN’s accountability to the Affirmation of Commitments (AoC) – the current arrangement. Translated audio will be available live. According to ICANN “Transcript to be provided”
What: IANA Accountability Transition
When: Monday March 23 2014 1030-1230 SGT | 0230-0430 UTC | 2230-0030 EDT
Adobe Connect: http://icann.adobeconnect.com/sin49-padang
Audio: http://stream.icann.org:8000/sin49-padang-en.m3u
What: ICANN Accountability
When: Monday March 23 2014 1730-1900 SGT | 0930-1100 UTC | 0530-0700 EDT
Adobe Connect: http://icann.adobeconnect.com/sin49-padang
Audio: http://stream.icann.org:8000/sin49-padang-en.m3u
Twitter: #icannaoc
Tomorrow, Friday March 21 2014, just prior to ICANN 49 in Singapore, the NonCommercial Users Constituency (NCUC) of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) will host a one-day conference “ICANN and Global Internet Governance: The Road to São Paulo, and Beyond“. Cross-community panels will discuss recent Internet governance initiatives, core principles and road-maps for globalization and institutional innovation. Speakers include ICANN Chair Steve Crocker, ALAC Chair Olivier Crepin-Leblond, NCSG Chair Rafik Dammak, Erika Mann of facebook, Niels ten Oever of Article 19, Jari Arrko of the IETF, Avri Doria of ISOC-NY, Fiona Alexander of the NTIA, Milton Mueller of the NCUC, former ICANN board member Bertrand de la Chappelle, Markus Kummer of the Internet Society, Alice Munyua of the African Union, and Internet Hall of Famer George Sadowsky. Larry Strickling with give a final keynote. Remote participation will be available via Adobe Connect, and there will be a live webcast. Singapore is exactly half a day ahead of NYC so this all starts at 10pm tonight and runs until 6am.
What: NCUC Conference: ICANN and Global Internet Governance: The Road to São Paulo, and Beyond
Where: Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore
When: Friday March 21 2014 10am-6pm SGT | 0200-1000 UTC | 2200-0600 EDT
Agenda: http://www.ncuc.org/singapore2014/programme/
Remote Participation: http://singapore49.icann.org/en/schedule/fri-ncuc-ig
Webcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-OSzgOT3jA
Twitter: @ncuc | #ICANN49
Today, Thursday March 20 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Task Force (Task Force) will hold a full day DMCA Notice and Takedown Multistakeholder Forum at the USPTO HQ in Alexandria, VA. The meeting was called for in the Commerce Department’s Green Paper on Copyright Policy, Creativity, and Innovation in the Digital Economy released in July 2013. This is the first such meeting. Subsequent meetings will take place approximately every six weeks, alternating between the USPTO main campus and Silicon Valley, at a location to be announced. Further discussions on three additional issues identified in the Green Paper —remixes, first sale, and statutory damages — will be held in several cities over the next few months.
From the Federal Register:
The initial meeting will focus on identifying discrete topics to be addressed through the multistakeholder forum. We also intend to discuss and make decisions about the process for the forum’s ongoing work. The Task Force wants to ensure participation by a wide variety of the notice and takedown system’s current users, including right holders and individual creators, service providers, and any other stakeholders that are directly affected—such as consumer and public interest representatives, technical and engineering experts, and companies in the business of identifying infringing content. The Department’s role in the open multistakeholder process will be to provide a forum for discussion and consensus-building among stakeholders. Stakeholder groups convened for this process will not be advisory committees to the government, as neither the Department of Commerce nor any other Federal agency or office will seek advice or recommendations on policy issues from participants.
The meeting will be webcast with the opportunity for remote public participation. There will be live text transcription.
What: DMCA Notice and Takedown Multistakeholder Forum
Where: USPTO HQ, Alexandria, VA
When: Thursday March 20 2014 9am-4pm EDT | 1300-2000 UTC
Agenda: http://www.uspto.gov/ip/global/copyrights/AGENDA_March-20_Multistakeholder_Forum-FINAL.pdf
Webcast: http://new.livestream.com/uspto/CopyrightMarch2014
Transcript: http://www.captionedtext.com/client/embed.aspx?EventID=2328548
Twitter: #DMCA | #IPTF | #copyright
On Friday March 14 2014 the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it had invited ICANN to make a multistakeholder-derived proposal to take over responsibility for the “IANA functions“, i.e. management of the Internet’s root zone, when the current contract ends in 2015. In response Internet technical organizations, including the Internet Society, issued the following statement:
Internet Technical Leaders Welcome IANA Globalization Progress
The leaders of the Internet technical organizations responsible for coordination of the Internet infrastructure (IETF, IAB, RIRs, ccTLD ROs, ICANN, ISOC, and W3C), welcome the US Government’s announcement of the suggested changes related to the IANA functions contract.
The roles on policy development processes of the Internet technical organizations and ICANN’s role as administrator of the IANA functions, remain unchanged
The transition of the US Government stewardship has been envisaged since the early days of IANA functions contract. This transition is now feasible due to the maturity of the Internet technical organizations involved in performing their respective roles related to the IANA functions, and ICANN will facilitate a global, multi-stakeholder process to plan for the transition.
The strength and stability of the IANA functions within the above organizations (which make up the Internet technical community) are critical to the operation of the Internet. The processes around the IANA functions have always been carefully specified in the communities that our organizations represent. The IANA functions are faithfully administered by ICANN. We are committed to continuing our proven, community-driven processes as we engage in this transition. Our communities are already considering proposals to progress the transition.
Our organizations are committed to open and transparent multi-stakeholder processes. We are also committed to further strengthening our processes and agreements related to the IANA functions, and to building on the existing organizations and their roles. The Internet technical community is strong enough to continue its role, while assuming the stewardship function as it transitions from the US Government.
Participating Leaders
- Adiel A. Akplogan, CEO African Network Information Center (AFRINIC)
- Barrack Otieno, Manager, The African Top Level Domains Organization (AFTLD)
- Paul Wilson, Director General Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC)
- Don Hollander, General Manager Asia Pacific Top Level Domain Association (APTLD)
- John Curran, CEO American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)
- Peter Van Roste, General Manager, Council for European National Top Level Domain Registries (CENTR)
- Russ Housley, Chair Internet Architecture Board (IAB)
- Fadi Chehadé, President and CEO Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
- Jari Arkko, Chair Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
- Kathy Brown, President and CEO Internet Society (ISOC)
- Raúl EcheberrÃa, CEO Latin America and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC)
- Carolina Aguerre, General Manager, Latin American and Caribbean TLD Association (LACTLD)
- Axel Pawlik, Managing Director Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC)
- Jeff Jaffe, CEO World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
On Wednesday January 8, 2014 DC Legal Hackers hosted #LegalHack Broadband Infrastructure, a meetup to discuss the efforts of city, state, and federal governments to create and maintain maps of broadband infrastructure to improve awareness, choice, and competition in the broadband market. Speakers included Virginia Maloney, Senior Project Manager, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC); Anne Neville, Director, State Broadband Initiative, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA); Mike Byrne, Geographic Information Officer, Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Greta Byrum, Senior Field Analyst, Open Technology Institute (OTI). Moderator was Julia Pulidindi, Senior Associate, The National League of Cities. The event was webcast live by the Internet Society North America Bureau, video is below.
View on YouTube: http://youtu.be/R7lhMTuGl4s
Transcribe on AMARA: http://www.amara.org/en/videos/iNNBJLjaRfGH/
Twitter: #legalhack | #broadband
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included $7.2 billion to expand access to high-speed Internet services to close the digital divide, drive economic growth, and build the technology infrastructure and skills that America needs to compete in the 21st century. Roughly $4 billion of that total supports the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, or BTOP. The program, which is administered by the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), is investing in roughly 230 projects to increase broadband access and adoption around the country.
On January 16 2013, Governance Studies at Brookings provided an update on the BTOP program three years after Vice President Joe Biden announced the first round of BTOP awards at a factory in Dawsonville, GA. The event featured keynote remarks by NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling, followed by a panel of officials from BTOP projects that provided firsthand accounts from around the country.
Moderator: Darrell M. West
Keynote: Lawrence E. Strickling – Administrator, NTIA
Panel:
Bruce Abraham – Member, Board of Directors, North Georgia Network
Susan Corbett – Chief Executive Officer, Axiom Technologies
Curtis Lowery, M.D. – Director, UAMS Center for Distance Health
Mark Malaspina – President CFY
- View video or listen to audio on The Brookings Institution site
- Download audio
- Uncorrected transcript
- Brookings Institution YouTube Channel (nothing posted as yet)
On May 16 2012 the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a Hearing on Broadband Loans and Grants, aka BTOP.
* Henry Waxman Opening Statement | video
Witnesses:
- Larry Strickling,  (NTIA) Testimony | Video
- Jonathan Adelstein, (RUS) Testimony| Video
- Todd Zinser,  U.S. Department of Commerce Testimony | Video
- David Gray, U.S. Department of Agriculture Testimony | video
- Q&A – video
Todd Zinser appeared to give the best overview of overall spending and his testimony includes this chart:
(CCI = comprehensive community infrastructure, PCC=public computer centers, SBA=sustainable broadband adoption)
As can be seen on the chart, infrastructure projects – many held up by environmental or other permit concerns – are lagging in fund uptake. Some may even miss the deadline (Sep 2013).
The Q&A focused on overspending and fraud on the Dem side, and more existential questions from the GOP side.
On May 13 2011 The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) launched DigitalLiteracy.gov. The site’s goal, in partnership with nine Federal agencies, is to function as an online hub for librarians, educators, and other digital literacy practitioners to share content and best practices. Additional content is expected from recipients of Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grants who are developing and implementing digital literacy training programs in their communities.
The site contains web 2.0 features that will support evolutionary improvement of its content.
- NTIA press release
Less than a year after ICANN gained its “independence” by signing an Affirmation of Commitments with the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Now, on Dec 2 2010, ICANN has received a sharply critical letter from NTIA head Larry Strickling, suggesting it has not backed up its promises.
The main issue bothering Strickling appears to be the imminent finalization, after 4 years of painstaking gestation, of the new generic Top Level Domain process. He cites half-baked economic analysis of the effects, and a lack of justification, particularly with regard to the decision of the Board to swing from a policy of absolutely no vertical integration between registries and registrars (Mar 2010) to laissez-faire (Nov 2010). In the NTIA’s opinion ICANN is not honoring its commitment to ‘fact-based policy development’, and to ‘provide a thorough and reasoned explanation of decisions taken’.
It can safely be said, on the latter point, that the NTIA are not alone in this assessment, if the efforts of its own Accountability & Transparency Review Team are to believed.
While internationally many probably share the NTIA’s concerns this may well, coming on the heels of the COICA effort, and recent DNS redirecting by the US in the name of  IP protection, be seen as a reminder of American influence, providing fuel for those governments that would like to see control of the domain system passed to the United Nations via the ITU.
It’s sure to be a hot topic at next week’s ICANN Meeting in Cartagena. It seems probable that ICANN will be forced to take the safe course, and yet again delay the gTLD process.
The NTIA has issued Digital Nation II – a follow up to February’s Digital Nation report. Amongst the findings:
- the percentage of households that connect to the Internet using broadband grew to 63.5 percent in 2009 from 9.2 percent in 2001
- 65.9 percent of urban households subscribed to broadband in 2009, compared with 51 percent of rural households.
- 94.1 percent of households with income exceeding $100,000 subscribed to broadband in 2009, compared with 35.8 percent of households with income of less than $25,000.
- 84.5 percent of households with at least one college degree subscribed to broadband last year, compared with 28.8 percent of households without a high school degree.
- 77.3 percent of Asian-American households and 68 percent of non-Hispanic white households subscribed to broadband last year, compared with 49.4 percent of African-American households and 47.9 percent of Hispanic households.
- 38 percent of Americans who don’t have broadband at home say they don’t subscribe because they don’t need it, while 26 percent say it’s too expensive and only 4 percent say it’s not available where they live.
Notably, the analysis discovered a gap of 10 percentage points in broadband use between whites and blacks and a gap of 14 percentage points between whites and Hispanics even after controlling for socio-economic factors.
Although the data do not provide an explanation for these numbers, Rebecca Blank, under secretary for Economic Affairs, believes it could reflect limited exposure to the Internet among certain racial groups.
“Internet usage relies on networks,” she said. “If the people around you don’t use the Internet, you will be less likely to use the Internet, too.
Lawrence Strickling, head of the NTIA, stressed that one key challenge for policymakers lies in convincing Americans who are not online of the benefits of broadband.
- NTIA press release
[Source: AP]
Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, gave a speech The Internet: Evolving Responsibility for Preserving a First Amendment Miracle at The Media Institute in Washington DC on February 24, 2010.
In it he suggests that we are now entering on a third stage of Internet development -whereas the Internet has been allowed togrow freely and form its own ecosystems, it is now becoming necessary to for some intervention to allow it to flourish optimally, particularly with respect to free speech. He notes the following initiatives:
Privacy policy. A series of consultations are being launched on how to best preserve user privacy.
Child protection and Freedom of Expression: The Online Safety Technology Working Group, created by Congress and convened by NTIA, will issue a report on the state of the art in child protection strategies online.
Cybersecurity: How do we meet the security challenge posed by the global Internet which will require increased law enforcement and private sector technology innovation yet respect citizen privacy and protect civil liberties. A Commerce Department cybersecurity initiative will address these issues, particularly as they relate to improving the preparedness of industry for cyber attacks.
Copyright protection: NTIA and the US Patent and Trademark Office, are beginning a comprehensive consultation process that will help the Administration develop a forward-looking set of policies to address online copyright infringement in a balanced, Internet-savvy manner.
Internet Governance: The NTIA will conduct a series of administrative reviews to ensure that the agreed upon ICANN commitments are carried out in full.
Arstechnica reports on a new NTIA study – Digital Nation: 21st Century America’s Progress Towards Universal Broadband Internet Access.
- 75.8 million = 63.5 percent of US households have High Speed Internet
- 198 million Internet users = 68.4% Â of USA population
- Thus 31.6% never use the Internet – of that number (domestic/overall)
- 16.7%/47.2% = don’t need/not interested
- 38.9%/8.6% = too expensive
- 22.3% = lack of equipment
- 4% = lack of skill
- Home dialup users won’t upgrade because:
- 7.3% = don’t need/not interested
- 41.3% =too expensive (22.3% rural / 27.6% urban)
- 11% of rural users had no upgrade option