FORECASTS FOR THE POLICY CLIMATE 2014
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Monday, March 17, 2014 |
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9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Pinyon 3 |
The FCC’s E-Rate Reforms: New Opportunities for Service Providers Last June, President Obama announced an ambitious “ConnectEd” initiative to connect 99 percent of America’s K-12 students to high-speed (100 Mbps) broadband by 2015 and 1 Gbps by 2020. In July, the FCC launched a rulemaking to reform the federal schools and libraries (“E-Rate”) universal service program to realize those goals, which garnered comments and replies from more than 750 parties from industry, the educational community and consumer interests. Most commenters favor a significant expansion in the $2.25 billion annual funding cap for E-rate, with many arguing that a doubling or tripling of E-rate funding is necessary to bring high-speed broadband to all of the nation’s schools and libraries. Under new Chairman Tom Wheeler, the FCC is aiming to issue a decision on such expansion this year, but both the Commissioners and the Congress are divided on the key questions of “how” and “how much.” This panel will bring together service providers, FCC officials and educational community representatives to discuss the likely outcomes and the increased opportunities that will result for both the public and providers of E-rate services. |
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| Moderator: | |||
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Jim Smith Of Counsel Davis Wright Tremaine LLP |
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| Speakers: | |||
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Dr. Sheryl Abshire Chief Technology Officer Calcasieu Parish Public Schools |
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Jeb Benedict Vice President - Federal Regulatory Affairs & Regulatory Counsel CenturyLink |
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Greg Green Co-Founder and President Fatbeam |
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 Trent B. HarkraderAssociate Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau Federal Communications Commission |
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Tuesday, March 18, 2014 |
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10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pinyon 3 |
Advancing New Technologies and Promoting Functioning Markets: Update on Federal Experiments, State Actions and Open Questions
Gigi B. Sohn, special counsel to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, will offer her insights on the FCC’s proceeding to explore the impact of the technology transitions, followed by a panel of industry experts that will explore the various issues that could arise as the PSTN transitions to IP technology. Panelists will provide insight on the status of federal proceedings relating to the transition, including experiments proposed or initiated by the FCC, and discuss the appropriate involvement of state commissions. Also on the agenda will be a discussion of how the various possible outcomes will impact consumers, competition and the future of the communications industry in general.
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| Featured Speaker: | |||
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Gigi B. Sohn Special Counsel to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Federal Communications Commission |
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| Moderator: | |||
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| Speakers: | |||
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Tom Cohen Partner Kelley Drye, on behalf of the American Cable Association (ACA) |
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Eric Einhorn Senior Vice President of Government Affairs & Strategy Windstream |
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Kristie Ince Vice President of Regulatory Affairs tw telecom |
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Charles McKee Vice President, Government Affairs Federal and State Regulatory Sprint |
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Wednesday, March 19, 2014 |
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| Presented by: Kelley Drye | |||
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8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Pinyon 3 |
The Next Big Thing: Capitalizing on Emerging Trends at the Intersection of Public Policy and Business In today’s telecommunications marketplace, technology and regulatory changes have the potential to disrupt existing business plans. These changes also create opportunities for those competitive providers that are paying attention. To adapt and thrive, providers must identify and assess these new scenarios to find the “next big thing.” Kelley Drye’s regulatory workshop will help providers understand the legal and policy trends affecting communications markets in 2014 and beyond, and how these changes may impact business strategies.
The workshop will feature conversations with, and presentations by, leaders in new communications markets designed to highlight the legal and regulatory risks and opportunities associated with these trends, including those related to the Universal Service Fund. These discussions and presentations will be interwoven with seven snapshot mini-sessions covering topics such as: IP trials; Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and text marketing; spectrum and licensing; 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) obligations for advanced communications services; and essentials for E-rate, Lifeline, and rural broadband. The workshop will be a fast-paced, content-rich discussion, and will close with conversation featuring the perspectives of COMPTEL’s leadership team on the trends and topics highlighted during the session.
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| 8 a.m. |
Opening Remarks – Where the Opportunities Lie
The workshop will kick-off with an in-depth analysis of wireline, wireless and satellite trends, business strategies and new opportunities.
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| Presenter: | |||
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Steve Augustino Partner Kelley, Drye |
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| 8:45 a.m. | Mini-session 1 – IP Trials | ||
| Presenter: | |||
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Hank Kelly Partner Kelley Drye |
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| 8:55 a.m. | Mini-session 2 – TCPA | ||
| Presenter: | |||
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John Heitmann Partner Kelley Drye |
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| 9:05 a.m. | Mini-session 3 – CVAA Obligations | ||
| Presenter: | |||
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Josh Guyan Associate Kelley Drye |
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| 9:15 a.m. | Break | ||
| 9:25 a.m. |
In-Depth Discussion – USF Opportunities Stemming from FCC Reforms In this session we will hear from service providers working within the various USF funds and the challenges they are facing. |
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| Moderator: | |||
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Hank Kelly Partner Kelley Drye |
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| Speakers: | |||
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Tim Koxlien |
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Lisa Youngers Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Federal Affairs XO Communications |
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| 9:45 a.m. | Mini-session 4 – E-rate Essentials | ||
| Presenter: | |||
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Steve Augustino Partner Kelley, Drye |
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| 9:55 a.m. | Mini-session 5 – Lifeline Essentials | ||
| Presenter: | |||
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Josh Guyan Associate Kelley Drye |
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| 10:05 a.m. | Mini-session 6 – Rural Broadband Fund Essentials | ||
| Presenter: | |||
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Mike Dover
AssociateKelley Drye |
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| 10:15 a.m. | Mini-session 7 – Healthcare Connect Fund Essentials | ||
| Presenter: | |||
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Steve Augustino Partner Kelley, Drye |
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10:30 a.m.-
11 a.m.
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The Wrap Up
Kelley Drye will have a coffee-talk style conversation with COMPTEL leaders.
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| Moderators: | |||
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John Heitmann Partner Kelley Drye |
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| Speakers: | |||
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Chip Pickering
CEO |
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Angie Kronenberg Chief Advocate and General Counsel COMPTEL |
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