Broadband is the future of the American economy, lecturers at the Federal Communications Bar Association’s second annual discussion said Tuesday.
About 60 people attended the discussion, held at the Boston University Photonics Center, to talk about the future of communication regulations if the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadcast Plan goes into effect.
‘We thought it would be a great topic for us to examine,’ said Julie Laine, Group Vice President and Chief Counsel Regulatory of Time Warner Cable. ‘And we thought it would be accessible to College of Communication students and faculty.’
Laine said the turnout this year was almost double the number of participants in 2009. Lawyers, communications experts and BU students and faculty members were among the attendees.’
‘We’re thrilled by the turnout,’ she said. ‘I think the topic is on everyone’s mind.’
The discussion began with COM Dean Tom Fiedler addressing the crowd and introducing the topic.
‘We are content producers, and so what we need to be sure of is [that] the Internet is able to produce content, and when we want to communicate messages, it will be available,’ he said.
Comcast’s Northeast Region Director of Regulatory Affairs Stacey Parker then introduced keynote speaker Cameron Kerry.
‘For many Americans, Broadband is out of reach,’ he said. ‘But Broadband is going to be an integral part of the future.’
Kerry, a Harvard University alumnus, serves as the general counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce. He has also taught telecommunications law as an adjunct professor at Suffolk University. ‘
According to Kerry, the FCC’s plan will lay out a policy road map for ensuring all Americans have access to affordable high-speed internet service. MSNBC reported on Jan. 7 that the plan is due to lawmakers by Feb. 17.
The FCC’s four objectives with the plan are to ‘broaden the deployment of broadband technologies, define broadband to include any platform capable of transmitting high-bandwidth intensive services, ensure harmonized regulatory treatment of competing broadband services, and encourage and facilitate an environment that stimulates investment and innovation in broadband technologies and services,’ the FCC website said.
‘The Recovery Act pinpoints Broadband as key in rebuilding America’s economy,’ Kerry said. ‘We have a unique opportunity to chart a course for the next generation of the Internet.’
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A panel discussion, moderated by Wilkinson Barker & Knauer partner Barry Ohlson, followed Kerry’s speech.
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Panel members included U.S. Telecom Senior Vice President of Law and Policy Jonathan Banks, CTIA Wireless Association Assistant Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Scott Bergmann, Massachusetts Broadband Institute Director Judith Dumont and President and co-founder of Public Knowledge Gigi Sohn.
COM assistant professor Cheryl Ann Lambert said she attended the discussion because it was interesting and relevant to communications.
‘It’s exciting to look at the intersection between law and media,’ she said. ‘There are so many different guidelines and policies changing so quickly and it’s good to hear about them firsthand.’
COM freshman Mary Clare Meehan said she attended the event because she found the topic engaging.
‘I am interested in communication and law,’ she said.
FCBA member Ellen Schmidt came to the event because she believes Broadband is a significant issue.
‘Staying updated with the developments is important and this is a good way to do it,’ she said.
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