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Events

FSF's Privacy Policy Seminar – June 26, 2019! Register Now!

The Free State Foundation will hold a policy seminar Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, from 12 noon - 2 p.m. The seminar – "Privacy Regulation: Why, What, and When?" will include a keynote address by FTC Commissioner Noah Phillips and a panel discussion by experts addressing potential new privacy regulation, whether by Congress, the FTC or other federal agencies, or the states. The panelists will include Kelly Cole, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at CTIA; Loretta Polk, Vice President & Associate General Counsel at NCTA - The Internet & Television Association; and Michelle Richardson, Director of the Privacy & Data Project at the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT). Register here!

FSF's 11th Annual Telecom Policy Conference -- March 26, 2019! Mark Your Calendar!

The Free State Foundation will hold its Eleventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. This annual conference is widely acknowledged to be one of the nation's premier communications law and policy events. As in previous years, a truly outstanding lineup of senior officials and prominent experts from the FCC, other government agencies, industry, academia, and think tanks will discuss and debate the most important communications and Internet policy issues of the day.

FSF's Randolph May Is a Panelist at NARUC Annual Meeting

Free State Foundation President Randolph May is a panelist at the NARUC Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The panel, "The VoIP "State" - What's Happening? What's Next?" will discuss the pending Minnesota Commission petition for rehearing en banc of a recent 8th Circuit 2-1 decision preempting state oversight as well as the Vermont Commission remand resulting from the 2013  Vermont Supreme Court decision that upheld a Vermont Public Utility Commission determination that “fixed” VoIP service is subject to PUC authority.

Register Now for FSF's Lunch Event Highlighting A Reader on Net Neutrality and Restoring Internet Freedom - FSF's Newest Book!

Registration is now open for FSF's lunch event on Friday, November 9, 11:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at the National Press Club for a timely discussion of the Free State Foundation's newest book, A Reader on Net Neutrality and Restoring Internet Freedom, edited by Free State Foundation President Randolph May and FSF Senior Fellow Seth Cooper. Babette Boliek, the FCC's Chief Economist, Thomas Johnson, the FCC's General Counsel, and Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, will deliver keynote remarks, and experts will discuss the most important, most current, hot-topic legal and policy issues in the ongoing net neutrality controversy. To register, click here.

Federalist Society Teleforum on A Reader on Net Neutrality and Restoring Internet Freedom - Tuesday, October 16, 2018

The Federalist Society will host a Teleforum on October 16, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. on the Free State Foundation’s new book, A Reader on Net Neutrality and Restoring Internet Freedom. Participants include Randolph May, President of the Free State Foundation; Seth Cooper, FSF  Senior Fellow; Daniel Lyons, Associate Professor at Boston College Law School and a member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors; and Blair Levin, Nonresident Senior Fellow with Brookings Institution. The Reader provides a wealth of information and key insights into the long-running debate surrounding “net neutrality” regulation.

FSF Lunch Seminar on FCC Process Reform, Municipal Broadband, and Consumer Protection at the FTC - Thursday, June 28, 2018

The Free State Foundation will hold a lunch seminar on June 28, 2018, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The event will feature Introductory Remarks by Federal Communications Commissioner Michael O’Rielly – “An Update on FCC Process Reform Efforts: Possible Next Steps” – followed by a panel discussion that addresses the latest municipal broadband developments with special attention to net neutrality and First Amendment considerations. The panelists will include Enrique Armijo, Associate Professor of Law at Elon University School of Law and a Member of the Free State Foundation Board of Academic Advisors; Theodore Bolema, Free State Foundation Senior Fellow; and Chris Lewis, Vice President of Public Knowledge. Alden Abbott, the Federal Trade Commission's new General Counsel, will deliver Closing Remarks – “Protecting Consumers and Competition at the New FTC.” An event flyer is here. To register, click here.

FSF Tenth Annual Telecom Policy Conference - Tuesday, March 27, 2018

The Free State Foundation will hold its Tenth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will deliver the Opening Keynote address. FCC Commissioners Michael O’Rielly and Brendan Carr will join FSF President Randolph May in the traditional lunchtime conversation. And Neomi Rao, Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, and David Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, will both deliver a Keynote address. Other speakers include: Jeff Campbell, Vice President, The Americas of Global Government Affairs, Cisco Systems, Inc.; Michelle Connolly, Professor, Duke University, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors; James Assey, Executive Vice President, NCTA; David Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation; Kathleen Grillo, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Verizon Communications Inc.; John Jones, Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Government Relations, CenturyLink; Chris Lewis, Vice President, Public Knowledge; Daniel Lyons, Professor, Boston College Law School, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors; Tom Power, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, CTIA; Nicol Turner-Lee, Fellow, Governance Studies, Center for Technology Innovation, Brookings; and Christopher Yoo, Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors.

An event agenda is here and an event flyer is here.

FSF President Randolph May to Speak on Net Neutrality at the University of Baltimore School of Law

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will speak on Hands Off My Internet: A Discussion on Net-Neutrality at the University of Baltimore School of Law, Baltimore, MD, on February 14, 2018, at an event hosted by the Baltimore Student Chapter of The Federalist Society.

FSF President Randolph May to Be a Panelist at FCBA CLE

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will be a panelist at a Federal Communications Bar Association event on The State of VoIP: Perspectives on State Jurisdiction Regarding Voice over Internet Protocol on February 13, 2018, at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC.

FSF President Randolph May to Speak on Net Neutrality at Duke University School of Law

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will speak on The Future of Net Neutrality at the Duke University School of Law, Durham, NC, on January 29, 2018, at an event hosted by the Duke Student Chapter of The Federalist Society.

FSF President Randolph May to Be Panel Participant at a NAPA and Schar School Symposium

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will participate on a panel at the “Prioritizing Governance: For Resilient Critical Infrastructure” symposium, hosted by the National Academy of Public Administration and the George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government on October 30, 2017. Mr. May’s panel will discuss the governance challenges in a resilient communications network.

FSF’s July 25 Seminar on Next Generation 5G Wireless Networks

The Free State Foundation will hold a policy seminar Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The seminar’s theme is “Next Generation 5G Wireless Networks: Seizing the Opportunities and Overcoming the Obstacles.” Speakers include FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly; Donald Stockdale, Bureau Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, FCC; Jonathan Adelstein, President & CEO, Wireless Infrastructure Association; Robert S. Fisher, Senior Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, Verizon;  Crystal Tully, Majority Counsel, Technology and Telecommunications, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation; and Jeff Weninger, Member, House of Representatives, Arizona State Legislature. An event flyer is here. To register, click here.

Watch C-SPAN's video of FSF's entire Ninth Annual Telecom Policy Conference, held May 31, 2017, here.

FSF Rescheduled Ninth Annual Telecom Policy Conference – Wednesday, May 31

The Free State Foundation has rescheduled its Ninth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, will join FSF President Randolph May in the traditional lunchtime conversation. Other speakers include Meredith Baker, President and CEO, CTIA; David Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation; Seth Cooper, Senior Fellow, Free State Foundation; Michelle Connolly, Professor of the Practice of Economics, Duke University, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors; C. Boyden Gray, Founding Partner, Boyden Gray & Associates, and former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union and former White House Counsel; Kim Keenan, President and CEO, MMTC; Blair Levin, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution; Tad Lipsky, Acting Director, Bureau of Competition, FTC; Daniel Lyons, Boston College Law School, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors; Tom Pahl, Acting Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; Robert Quinn, Senior Executive Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T; and Howard Shelanski, Professor of Law, Georgetown University, and former Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget. With a newly reconstituted FCC and a new Congress in place, this year's agenda-setting annual conference surely will be one of the most important ever. An event flyer is here. The conference agenda is here. Register here!

FSF President Randolph May to Participate in MMTC’s Lifeline Update Briefing

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will participate in a Lifeline Update briefing of MMTC’s Digital Equity Roundtable, New Telecom and Internet Policy Task Force, and “Best Minds” Policy Committee on March 21, 2017. Government, nonprofit, consumer advocates, and Lifeline broadband providers will discuss where things stand on the modernization of Lifeline and the future of the program.

Featured Speakers Announced – FSF Ninth Annual Telecom Policy Conference, March 14!

The Free State Foundation has announced the list of featured speakers for its Ninth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The featured speakers are Senator Mike Lee, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, and Member, Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee; Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Chairman, House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology; FCC Chairman Ajit Pai; Acting FTC Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen; and FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly. Other speakers include Meredith Baker, President and CEO, CTIA; David Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation; Seth Cooper, Senior Fellow, Free State Foundation; Robert Crandall, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution, and Member of FSF’s Board of Academic Advisors; Kim Keenan, President and CEO, MMTC; Blair Levin, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution; Daniel Lyons, Boston College Law School, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors; Randolph May, President, Free State Foundation; Robert Quinn, Senior Executive Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T; and Christopher Yoo, University of Pennsylvania Law School, and member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors. With a newly reconstituted FCC and a new Congress in place, this year's agenda-setting annual conference surely will be one of the most important ever. A flyer with event details is here. Register here!


2016:

FCC Chairman Pai's December 7, 2016, Address at FSF Tenth Anniversary Gala Luncheon Available!

A PDF of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s Address at the Free State Foundation’s Tenth Anniversary Gala Luncheon on December 7, 2016, at the National Press Club, Washington, DC, is here. A PDF of FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly's remarks at the Tenth Anniversary luncheon are here.

Videos Are Now Available for FSF’s Tenth Anniversary Gala Luncheon!

Videos are available of the Free State Foundation’s Tenth Anniversary Gala Luncheon, held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on December 7, 2016. The “Segment 1” video includes a Welcome by FSF President Randolph May, and an address by Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Vice Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee, Republican Deputy Whip, and Trump Transition Team Executive Committee Member.


“Segment 2” of FSF’s Tenth Anniversary Gala Luncheon video includes remarks by FCC Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly; Karyn Temple Claggett, Acting Register of Copyrights and Director of U.S. Copyright Office; and Professor Daniel Lyons, Boston College Law School, and member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors.


Speakers Announced for FSF’s Tenth Anniversary Gala Luncheon!

Speakers have been announced for FSF’s celebration of its Tenth Anniversary of its founding at the gala celebratory lunch on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Speakers include Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Vice Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Republican Deputy Whip; Ajit Pai, FCC Commissioner; Michael O'Rielly, FCC Commissioner; Karyn Temple Claggett, Acting Register of Copyrights and Director of U.S. Copyright Office; and Daniel Lyons, Professor, Boston College Law School, and member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors. We will reflect on the direction of law and policy over the Free State Foundation's first ten years - including this important anniversary year - while looking at the challenges ahead. A flyer with event details is here. Register here!

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FSF’s May to Discuss The Constitutional Foundations of Intellectual Property – A Natural Rights Perspective at Emory University School of Law

Free State Foundation President Randolph May is the featured speaker at Emory University School of Law discussing the book coauthored by Mr. May and FSF Senior Fellow Seth Cooper, The Constitutional Foundations of Intellectual Property – A Natural Rights Perspective on November 2, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia.

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FSF’s May to Participate on NARUC’s Internet Privacy – The Rules of Engagement? Panel

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will participate on the Internet privacy panel at the upcoming National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ 2016 Summer Committee Meetings on July 23 in Nashville, TN. As part of reclassifying basic Internet access service (BIAS) as a telecommunications service, the FCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on April 1, 2016, proposing detailed data privacy and security rules for BIAS providers. The panelists will address the issue of privacy when it comes to BIAS and identify issues of concern.

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Videos Available of FSF's Eighth Annual Telecom Policy Conference!

Videos are now available of the presentations at the Free State Foundation’s Eighth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on March 23, 2016, at the National Press Club. The videos are the Opening Keynote Address by Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Vice-Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; “A Fireside Chat” with FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Michael O'Rielly; and the lunchtime armchair “Conversation” with General Counsel Jonathan Salletand FSF President Randolph May. Also, FTC Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen’s “Privacy Regulation in the Internet Ecosystem,” and the “Perspectives on Hot-Topic Communication Issues” panel with Meredith Baker, President and CEO, CTIA; Walter McCormick, President & CEO, United States Telecom Association; Michael Powell, President & CEO, National Cable & Telecommunications Association; Brad Ramsay, General Counsel/Director, Policy Department, NARUC; and Nicol Turner-Lee, Vice President and Chief Research and Policy Officer, Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council.

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Video Available – FSF President May Participated in Intellectual Property and First Principles Forum

On February 10, 2016, Free State Foundation President Randolph May participated in a forum on Intellectual Property and First Principles, presented by the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies and the Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies. A video of the panel’s session is here. With FSF Senior Fellow Seth Cooper, Mr. May is the co-author of The Constitutional Foundations of Intellectual Property.

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Speakers Announced for FSF Eighth Annual Telecom Policy Conference!

Register now for the Free State Foundation’s Eighth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. An outstanding line-up of leading senior officials and prominent experts from government, industry, academia, and think tanks will discuss and debate the most important communications and Internet issues of the day, including broadband policy, the Open Internet Order appeal, video competition, Universal Service and Lifeline Reform, whether the FCC's actions conform to rule of law norms, and more. Speakers include: Opening Keynoter Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Vice Chairman, House of Representatives, Energy and Commerce Committee; Meredith Baker, CTIA; Mignon Clyburn, FCC; Seth Cooper, FSF; Daniel Lyons, Boston College Law School and FSF; Randolph May, FSF; Walter McCormick, USTelecom; Maureen Ohlhausen, FTC; Michael O'Rielly, FCC; Michael Powell, NCTA; Robert Quinn, AT&T; Brad Ramsay, NARUC; Jonathan Sallet, FCC; Nicol Turner-Lee, MMTC; and Philip Verveer, FCC. Register here!

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FSF President May to Participate on NARUC Lifeline Panel

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will participate on a panel on February 16, 2016, at the NARUC Winter Committee Meetings. The panel will address Lifeline issues, including the extent to which the program should be extended to broadband services. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing the state public service commissions who regulate the utilities that provide services such as energy, telecommunications, water, and transportation.

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FSF President May to Participate on Intellectual Property and First Principles Forum

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will speak on February 10, 2016, at a forum on Intellectual Property and First Principles, presented by the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies and the Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies. With FSF Senior Fellow Seth Cooper, Mr. May is the co-author of The Constitutional Foundations of Intellectual Property. The panel will debate various conservative and libertarian points of view regarding the nature of intellectual property and the extent to which it should be safeguarded.

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FSF President Randolph May to Participate on Panel Addressing Sharing Economy Regulatory Issues

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will participate on a panel addressing regulatory issues raised in connection with the new sharing economy. The program, “Regulation of the Sharing Economy: Uber and Beyond,” sponsored by the Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice of the American Bar Association, will be presented at the 110th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Law Schools on January 8, 2016, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., in New York City.


2015:

FSF Co-author Seth Cooper Discusses IP Book on Radio Program

Free State Foundation Senior Fellow Seth Cooper will discuss The Constitutional Foundations of Intellectual Property: A Natural Rights Perspective, the new book he co-authored with FSF President Randolph May, on the "Thoughtful Patriot" radio program, hosted by Trent England on November 17, 2015. The program will air during the 9 a.m. (CST) book hour on KZLS 1640 AM in Oklahoma City, OK, with a podcast available after the broadcast.

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Video Released! Free State Foundation’s Book Seminar!

A video is available of the Free State Foundation’s October 26 Book Seminar. FSF President Randolph May and FSF Senior Fellow Seth Cooper discussed their new book, The Constitutional Foundations of Intellectual Property: A Natural Rights Perspective. Reactions followed, along with questions from the audience, by commenters Robert Atkinson, President, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, and Ralph Oman, former Register of Copyrights of the United States, 1985-1993, and the Pravel, Hewitt, Kimball and Kreiger Professorial Lecturer in Intellectual Property and Patent Law, The George Washington University Law School. For additional information about the book, please see our book page.

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Video Released! FSF’s July 28 Policy Seminar

On July 28 the Free State Foundation held a policy seminar at the National Press Club. The theme of the seminar was "Implementing Real Regulatory Reform at the FCC." FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly delivered the Keynote Address. A distinguished panel, moderated by Randolph May, President of the Free State Foundation, followed with reactions to Commissioner O’Rielly’s remarks. The panelists were: Richard Wiley, former Chairman, Commissioner, and General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission, and Chairman, Wiley Rein LLP; Justin (Gus) Hurwitz, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Nebraska College of Law, and a Member of Free State Foundation's Board of Academic Advisors; and Daniel Lyons, Associate Professor of Law, Boston College Law School, and a Member of Free State Foundation's Board of Academic Advisors. The text of Commissioner O’Rielly’s keynote is here. Watch the video of the seminar here or below.


Panelists Announced for FSF's July 28 Policy Seminar!

The Free State Foundation has announced the panelists for its policy seminar, "Implementing Real Regulatory Reform at the FCC," on July 28, from 11:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly will deliver the Keynote Address discussing a series of thoughtful, innovative proposals he has offered to reform the FCC's regulatory process. Comments and reactions by the following distinguished panelists will follow Commissioner O'Rielly's keynote: Richard Wiley, former Chairman, Commissioner, and General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission, and Chairman, Wiley Rein LLP; Justin (Gus) Hurwitz, University of Nebraska College of Law, and a Member of Free State Foundation's Board of Academic Advisors; and Daniel Lyons, Boston College Law School, and a Member of Free State Foundation's Board of Academic Advisors. You can register for this event here. For additional information, click here.

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FSF President Randolph May Supports Reforming the FCC's Lifeline Program

Free State Foundation President Randolph May testified at a June 2, 2015, hearing on "Lifeline: Improving Accountability and Effectiveness" before the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet. In his testimony, Mr. May supported continuation of a Lifeline program that provides subsidy support to those truly in need. But he stressed that further reforms aimed at reducing waste, fraud, and abuse were necessary in order for the program to remain viable and sustain public support, and that policymakers should proceed cautiously before expanding Lifeline to broadband.

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FSF President Randolph May Testifies in Support of FCC Process Reform Measures

Free State Foundation President Randolph May testified at a May 15, 2015, hearing on "FCC Reauthorization: Improving Commission Transparency Part II" before the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Committee on Energy and Commerce. In his testimony, Mr. May supported the FCC process and transparency reforms in the proposals under Committee consideration, and he urged Congress to adopt some key measures promptly without waiting for the FCC to act on its own.

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FSF President Randolph May To Moderate “Net Neutrality and Internet Freedom” Panel at the 2015 Resource Bank Meeting

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will moderate the “Net Neutrality and Internet Freedom” panel presentation on May 7 at The Heritage Foundation’s 2015 Resource Bank Meeting in Bellevue, Washington. The Resource Bank conference attracts top conservative leaders – policy experts, think tank CEOs, and activists – for strategy sessions, networking, coalition building, and policy collaboration. The panelists for the session are: Gus Hurwitz, Center for Internet, Communications, and Technology, American Enterprise Institute; Matt McIlwain, Madrona Venture Group; and Ryan Radia, Competitive Enterprise Institute.

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FSF President Randolph May Will Discuss the Global Future of the Internet at World Affairs Council of Palm Beach

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will speak on “The Global Internet: The Promises & Perils of Proposed New Structures” at the World Affairs Council of Palm Beach on April 7, 2015. The World Affairs Council of Palm Beach is an organization that creates forums for discussion of critical world issues. Its mission is to promote understanding of the world — the people, the politics, the economies and the cultures — and to enhance the ability of citizens to participate in the global community and to better understand world events through people-to-people diplomacy, distinguished speakers, and educational outreach programs.

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Videos Released of Reps. Walden and Scalise at FSF's Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference!

On March 19 the Free State Foundation held its Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference at the National Press Club. The theme of the conference was "The Future of the Internet: Free Market Innovation or Government Control?" Congressman Greg Walden, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, delivered the Opening Keynote Address. A video of Chairman Walden's address is here. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a member of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, participated in the traditional lunchtime Conversation with Free State Foundation President Randolph May. View a video of their Conversation here.

Videos of FSF's Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference Panels Released!

At the Free State Foundation’s Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference, FCC Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly addressed the FCC’s problematic decision to regulate Internet providers and their reactions to Rep. Greg Waldren’s opening remarks. Rep. Walden is Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. A video of Panel I is here.

At the March 19 Free State Foundation Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference, FTC Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen; Rick Boucher, Honorary Chair of the Internet Innovation Alliance, and former Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications and the Internet; and Deborah Taylor Tate, a Distinguished Adjunct Senior Fellow of the Free State Foundation, and former FCC Commissioner, participated on the second panel, moderated by FSF President Randolph May, and offered their observations and reactions to the morning’s speakers. The video of Panel II is here.

The third panel, moderated by Seth Cooper, Senior Fellow, Free State Foundation, gave their observations and reactions to all of the morning’s previous speakers. Panel participants included: James Assey, Executive Vice President, National Cable & Telecommunications Association; Jeffrey Campbell, Vice President, The Americas, Global Government Affairs, Cisco; Jot Carpenter, Vice President, Government Affairs, CTIA; Peter Davidson, Senior Vice President - Federal Government Relations, Verizon; and Gene Kimmelman, President and CEO, Public Knowledge. A video of Panel III is here.

Agenda Released for FSF’s Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference!

The Agenda for the Free State Foundation’s Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference has been released. This will be FSF’s biggest and best conference ever! A link to register for "The Future of the Internet: Free Market Innovation or Government Control?" – Thursday, March 19, 2015, at the National Press Club – is here.

Speakers Announced for FSF’s Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference – March 19!

A power-packed lineup of speakers will present at the Free State Foundation’s Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference – "The Future of the Internet: Free Market Innovation or Government Control?" – Thursday, March 19, 2015, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. In addition to leading senior officials and prominent experts from government, industry, academia, and think tanks, featured speakers include Opening Keynoter Rep. Greg Walden, Chairman, House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology; House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a member of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, participating in a Lunchtime Conversation with Free State Foundation President Randolph May; and Closing Keynoter Sen. Ron Johnson, Chairman, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet. Click here to register for this conference. For additional information, click here.



2014:

Videos Available for FSF's November 14 Policy Seminar!

The Free State Foundation's policy seminar titled, "Thinking the Unthinkable: Imposing the 'Utility Model' on Internet Providers" held Friday, November 14, 2014, at the National Press Club is available on two YouTube videos. A video of the opening remarks by Rep. Bob Latta, Vice Chairman, House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and FCC Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly is available here. The second video of the lively panel discussion, moderated by FSF President Randolph May, on the pending FCC net neutrality proceeding is here, with panelists Robert Crandall, Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Economic Studies Program at Brookings Institution, and member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors; Gerald Faulhaber, Professor Emeritus of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and former FCC Chief Economist; Deborah Taylor Tate, FSF Distinguished Adjunct Senior Fellow and former FCC Commissioner; and Michael Weinberg, Vice President of Public Knowledge. Separate printed versions of the opening remarks are also available: Rep. Bob Latta, Vice Chairman, House Communications and Technology Subcommittee’s speech is available here; FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai’s speech is available here; and FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly’s speech is available here.

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FSF President Randolph May a Webinar Panelist Discussing Net Neutrality: FCC and Congressional Options and Alternatives for an Open Internet

Free State Foundation President Randolph May will participate in a webinar, titled "Net Neutrality: FCC and Congressional Options and Alternatives for an Open Internet," on October 16 at 2 p.m. EDT. The webinar is hosted by the Digital Policy Institute (DPI), an interdisciplinary research organization based at Ball State University. Mr. May will join other distinguished panelists to discuss the legal, technical, and policy issues involved in the Net Neutrality proceedings at the Federal Communications Commission and embodied in legislative proposals being advanced in the Congress. Registration and additional information for the webinar is here.

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FSF's Randolph May a Panelist Discussing Net Neutrality

On October 14, 2014, Free State Foundation President Randolph May will participate on a panel discussing why the media should care about net neutrality. The program is sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists and co-sponsored by Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. With an introduction by Ellen Shearer, director of the Medill Washington Program, Mr. May and other nonprofit, government, and media representatives will discuss the importance of net neutrality to journalists, how accurately media have covered the issue, and how net neutrality is related to the First Amendment or free speech.

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FSF's Randolph May Participated on Net Neutrality Panel with Former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps

On October 9th, Free State Foundation President Randolph May participated in a session with former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps at the 2014 Akamai Edge Conference in Miami, Florida, to discuss the hot topic of net neutrality and the FCC’s Open Internet proceeding. By all accounts, it was an informative and lively program. Akamai’s innovative products and services have played a significant positive role in fostering the steady growth of the Internet ecosystem across the globe – and the conference’s sessions offered many opportunities to glimpse the prospects for continued exciting advancements. In light of the FCC’s consideration of proposals to adopt new net neutrality regulations, the subject, obviously is very timely. To watch the video of the net neutrality discussion, which is posted on Akamai’s website, please click here.

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FSF’s Randolph May a Panelist at FCC’s Open Internet Roundtable Series

Free State Foundation President Randolph May is a panelist in the first session of the FCC’s Open Internet Roundtable series scheduled for September 16, 2014. This first Roundtable session, titled “Tailoring Policy to Harms,” will address “Policy Approaches to Ensure an Open Internet.” Two fundamental questions will be discussed: what are the harms to Internet openness in the absence of open Internet regulations, and what are the right policies to address those harms? Mr. May’s fellow panelists are Althea Erickson, Etsy; Julie Kearney, Consumer Electronics Association; Barbara van Schewick, Stanford University; Michael Weinberg, Public Knowledge; and David Young, Verizon, along with moderators Julie Veach, Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC and Matthew DelNero, Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC. The roundtables are free and open to the public, and the FCC also will stream them live at http://www.fcc.gov/live. For addition information, click here.

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FSF’s Randolph May to Participate in AEI’s Conference

Free State Foundation President Randolph May is a panelist during a three-day conference at the FCC, cosponsored by the American Enterprise Institute’s Center for Internet, Communications, and Technology Policy and the University of Nebraska College. The conference will highlight the latest academic thinking on broadband regulations and give regulators the opportunity to interact with leading scholars in the field. On September 11, Mr. May will discuss Elon University's Enrique Armijo's paper, "Government-Provided Internet Access Terms of Service as Speech Rules," along with Jason Llorenz of Rutgers University. Professor Armijo's paper will examine the implications of government-provided access to high-speed Internet for public safety, free expression, and digital development in urban spaces. For additional information, click here.

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YouTube Video Available for  FSF's June 25 Policy Seminar

A video of the Free State Foundation's policy seminar titled, "Reforming Communications Policy in the Digital Age: The Path Forward," held on June 25, 2014, at the Capitol Visitors Center is available on YouTube here. Senator John Thune, the Ranking Member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, delivered the Opening Keynote Address, followed by FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai, who provided a view from the FCC. Panel participants John Bergmayer, Public Knowledge, Scott Cleland, Precursor LLC, and Adam Thierer, Mercatus Center at George Mason University, discussed their divergent views on the proper path forward for communications policy.

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FSF President Randolph May to Participate in ACUS 60th Plenary Session

Randolph May, President of the Free State Foundation and a Public Member of the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS), is participating in the ACUS 60th Plenary Session on June 5-6, 2014, in Washington, DC. The Assembly will discuss and consider four recommendations: Resolving FOIA Disputes Through Targeted ADR Strategies, Government in the Sunshine Act, Guidance in the Rulemaking Process, and Ex Parte Communications in Informal Rulemaking. ACUS is an independent federal agency. Its mission is to promote improvements in the efficiency, adequacy, and fairness of the procedures by which federal agencies conduct regulatory programs, administer grants and benefits, and perform related governmental functions. The ACUS membership is composed of federal officials and experts with diverse views and backgrounds from both the private sector and academia.

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C-SPAN Videos and Conference Photos Available!

Thanks to C-SPAN for covering our entire conference on March 18. The C-SPAN videos may be accessed here. Some of the conference photos may be viewed here.

Agenda for FSF's Sixth Annual Telecom Policy Conference Released!

The Free State Foundation is pleased to announce the release of the agenda for its Sixth Annual Telecom Policy Conference, Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at the National Press Club. The Opening Keynote Address will be delivered by FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, and FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly will participate in the lunchtime "Conversation" with FSF President Randolph May. FTC Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen will provide the Closing Keynote Address. For details on the expert panelists, please see the agenda. Registration for the conference is complimentary, but you must register to attend. To register, please click here.


2013:

FSF President Randolph May to Participate in "Spectrum Auctions and Band Plans" Webinar November 19

Randolph May, President of the Free State Foundation, will participate in a webinar on November 19 hosted by the Digital Policy Institute (DPI), an interdisciplinary research think tank based at Ball State University. Other panelists joining Mr. May for this webinar, “Spectrum Auctions and Band Plans: Maximizing Auction Revenues and Minimizing Post-Auction Problems,” are Preston Padden, Executive Director of the Broadcaster’s Coalition, and Rick Kaplan, Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning at the National Association of Broadcasters. Among the many key legal and policy issues the panel will address are: the FCC’s proposed system for broadcasters choosing to relinquish spectrum; whether eligibility restrictions on wireless carriers wanting to bid would reduce the overall auction revenues and, correspondingly, broadcasters’ incentives to cede spectrum; the methods whereby broadcasters not choosing to give up spectrum but are relocated in repacked spectrum will be reimbursed for their costs; and the continued availability of broadcast service for TV viewers. The webinar, Tuesday, November 19, 2 p.m., EST, will go live here just prior to start time.

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Videos Available for FSFs' October 24 Lunch Seminar!

Two YouTube videos are available of the Free State Foundation’s "A New FCC or the Same Old, Same Old?" lunch seminar at the National Press Club, October 24, 2013. Congressman Bob Latta, Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, delivered keynote remarks offering his ideas for reforming communications policy in a less regulatory direction and for reorienting the FCC's mission. A panel of senior industry officials and leading academics discussed, with the arrival of a new FCC Chairman and Commissioner expected shortly, whether the FCC should reorient its mission and its way of doing business. How? Can it accomplish such changes itself or does Congress need to act?

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Video Now Available for FSF's "If I Were the FCC Chairman" Lunch Seminar

A video is available of the Free State Foundation's "If I Were the FCC Chairman" lunch seminar at the National Press Club, June 4, 2013. The speakers, who discussed what they would do if they were the new FCC Chairman, were Gail MacKinnon, Executive Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer, Time Warner Cable; Craig Silliman, Senior Vice President for Public Policy & Government Affairs, Verizon Communications; and Gigi B. Sohn, President & CEO, Public Knowledge; and moderator Randolph J. May, President of The Free State Foundation. You can watch the YouTube video here.

Speakers Announced for FSF's "If I Were the FCC Chairman..." Lunch Seminar  

The speakers have been announced for the Free State Foundation's "If I Were the FCC Chairman..." lunch seminar at the National Press Club, June 4, 2013. The seminar will feature nationally-recognized senior leaders in the communications policy field who will discuss what they would do if they were the new FCC Chairman. Register now!

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Videos and Slideshow are Available of FSF's Fifth Annual Telecom Policy Conference

Videos and a slideshow of event photos are available for viewing in right column boxes on this page.

Senator Rubio's FSF Speech Available

We were very pleased that Senator Marco Rubio delivered his first major address on communications policies and telecom priorities at the Free State Foundation's Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference. Sen. Rubio is a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and its Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet. Here is a link to the written copy of Sen. Rubio’s speech, and you can view a video of his presentation here.

 

Video of FSF President Randolph May's conversation with FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is Now Available

The March 21, 2013, Free State Foundation Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference opened with FSF President Randolph May's conversation with FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai. During the conversation, Commissioner Pai discussed his regulatory philosophy, reforming FCC processes, the FCC's IP Transition proceeding, broadband policy, net neutrality mandates, spectrum auctions, video regulation, and much more. You can view a video of their conversation here.

Revised Agenda Available for FSF Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference 

A revised agenda for the Free State Foundation's Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference, “Completing the Transition to a Digital World: How to Finish the Job and Why It Matters,” has been released. Please note that due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict, Senator Marco Rubio will deliver his keynote address at 1:00 p.m. during lunch. The conference will open with FSF President Randolph May's conversation with FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai. There will be three panels featuring an outstanding line-up of leading experts from government, industry, and academia discussing the most important communications policy issues of the day. Register now for the March 21, 2013, conference.

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Video Available of FSF's January 23 Book Event

A video is available for viewing in right column box on this page.

FSF Book Luncheon

Register now for the Free State Foundation's Wednesday, January 23, 2013,  luncheon to celebrate FSF’s new book, "Communications Law and Policy in the Digital Age: The Next Five Years," at the National Press Club. Several of the book's contributing authors, all prominent scholars and experts in the field of communications policy, will discuss their chapters and lead a lively, interactive exchange concerning today's hottest-topic issues. Speakers include: Christopher Yoo, Professor, University of Pennsylvania Law School and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors - "Internet Policy Going Forward: Does One Size Still Fit All?"; Daniel Lyons, Professor, Boston College Law School, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors - "Reforming the Universal Service Fund for the Digital Age"; Ellen Goodman, Professor, Rutgers School of Law – Camden, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors - "Public Media Policy Reform and Digital Age Realities"; and Seth Cooper, FSF Research Fellow - "Restoring a Minimal Regulatory Environment for a Healthy Wireless Future." 



2012:

Videos and Slideshow Available of FSF's October 18 Lunch Seminar

Two videos and a slideshow of event photos are available for viewing in right column boxes on this page.

FSF’s Lunch Seminar – October 18!

Register now for the Free State Foundation’s "Ideas for Communications Law and Policy Reform in 2013" Lunch Seminar, Thursday, October 18, 2012, at the National Press Club, 11:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The ideas discussed will include both those that involve revising the Communications Act and proposals for reform of communications policy by the Federal Communications Commission. The program will open with a conversation concerning FCC reform between FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell and FSF President Randolph May. This conversation will be followed by a panel discussion by some of the nation's leading think tankers, each of whom has studied communications law and policy for many years: Robert Atkinson, President, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation; James Gattuso, Senior Research Fellow in Regulatory Policy, The Heritage Foundation; David Honig, President, Minority Media & Telecommunications Council; and Adam Thierer, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center.

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FSF May 30, 2012 Seminar Covered Live by C-SPAN!

View C-SPAN’s video of the Free State Foundation’s seminar, "The Multi-Stakeholder Private Internet Governance Model: Can It Survive Threats From The UN?" The event was held May 30, 2012, at the National Press Club. 

FSF’s Lunch Seminar – May 30!

Register now for the Free State Foundation’s lunch seminar, May 30, 2012, 11:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the National Press Club. The seminar, titled "The Multi-Stakeholder Private Internet Governance Model: Can It Survive Threats From The UN?," will address threats to the survival of the current multi-stakeholder privatized Internet governance model posed by competing government-control models put forward in the United Nation's International Telecommunications Union and other international venues. The seminar will focus especially on the upcoming World Conference on International Telecommunications 2012 (WCIT - 12), to be held this coming December, at which Internet governance issues are expected to be addressed. The lead speakers will be Richard Beaird, Senior Deputy United States Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy - Department of State, and FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell. The commenters will be Jacquelynn Ruff, Vice President, International Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Verizon; Gigi Sohn, President, Public Knowledge; and Richard Whitt, Director and Managing Counsel for Public Policy, Google.

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FSF Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference Video Now Available!

Videos of the Free State Foundation's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference, "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?" held on March 20, 2012, at the National Press Club, are available by clicking below. For your convenience, the conference video is broken into five segments – the three keynote presentations of Steve Moore, Mignon Clyburn, and Danny Weitzner, plus Panels I & II.

Conference Video Links:

Welcome by FSF President Randolph May and Wall Street Journal's Steve Moore's Opening Keynote Address  

Panel I: Convergence, Competition, and Consumer Choice: The Right Regulatory Approaches for the Digital Age Marketplace 

Panel II: Convergence, Competition, and Consumer Choice: The Right Regulatory Approaches for the Digital Age Marketplace

Conversation With FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn

Closing Remarks of White House Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Internet Policy Danny Weitzner

Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 20 is the Free State Foundation Annual Telecom Policy Conference!

An outstanding line-up of speakers will discuss and debate the conference theme, "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?" Highlights include opening keynoter Steve Moore, the award-winning Wall Street Journal senior economics writer and editorial board member, and widely acclaimed CNBC and Fox News Channel television commentator. The lunch program will feature a lively and informative conversation with FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn concerning her approach to her job and current FCC issues. Closing remarks will be delivered by Danny Weitzner, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, who will discuss Internet policy, including privacy. In addition, leading senior industry executives, FCC chiefs, and nationally-recognized academic experts will debate the most important communications policy issues of the day, including Internet policy and net neutrality, privacy regulation, wireless regulation, the spectrum crunch and spectrum auctions, Universal Service reform, media regulation, FCC merger reviews, FCC institutional reform, and more. The agenda and registration is here. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served, but registration is required to attend.

Agenda Available for FSF's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference

The agenda is now available for the Free State Foundation's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference. The conference is Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 8:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. at the National Press Club. The agenda and registration information is here.

Wall Street Journal’s Steve Moore to Deliver Opening Keynote Address at FSF’s March Conference

Steve Moore, Editorial Board Member and Senior Economics Writer for the Wall Street Journal, will deliver the opening keynote address at the Free State Foundation's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the National Press Club. He joins FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who will participate in a lunchtime keynote conversation with FSF President Randolph May. In addition, an outstanding line-up of leading experts from government, industry, academia, and think tanks will discuss and debate the most important communications policy issues of the day. The conference theme is "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?" Register here.

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Joins FSF’s March Conference Lineup in Keynote Role

In an annual conference tradition, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and FSF President Randolph May will participate in a lunchtime conversation at the Free State Foundation's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the National Press Club. An outstanding line-up of leading experts from government, industry, academia, and think tanks will discuss and debate the most important communications policy issues of the day. This year's conference theme is: "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?" Register now!


2011:

Program Available

Here is the program brochure for tomorrow’s Free State Foundation's October 12, 2011, Fifth Anniversary Celebration Lunch at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. If you have not registered and would like to attend, please click here for registration information.

FSF’s Fifth Anniversary Celebration Lunch Seminar!


The Free State Foundation invites you to help celebrate its Fifth Anniversary of its founding at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on October 12, 2011. Sen. Jim DeMint, Ranking Member, Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, and Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Vice-Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, will deliver opening keynote remarks, and Rep. Cliff Stearns, Chairman, House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, will deliver the closing keynote remarks. We want you to celebrate with us, as we look back at the past five years, and, most importantly, ahead to the next five. Indeed, the theme of our program is: "Communications Law and Policy in the Digital Age: The Next Five Years." A complimentary lunch will be served, subject to space limitations and reservations. Register now!

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Video Available

A link to the video of the Free State Foundation's Universal Service/Intercarrier Compensation Reform Seminar, held Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at the National Press Club, is here. 

Reminder!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 13, 2011, is the Free State Foundation's Universal Service/Intercarrier Compensation Reform Seminar at the National Press Club. We have a great line up of experts who will explore all the controversial issues surrounding the FCC's USF/ICC reform proposals. A link to the speakers' bios is here.

Mark Your Calendar for FSF's Seminar on July 13, 2011!

Plan to attend the Free State Foundation's Seminar on July 13, 2011, 8:45-11:00 a.m., at the National Press Club, Washington, DC. Expert speakers will explore issues concerning the FCC's promise -- yet again -- to reform the uneconomic and inefficient legacy Universal Service and Intercarrier Compensation subsidy regimes. The FCC is promising to act this summer, so this seminar could not be more timely. And, with the current Universal Service surcharge at 15% for all long distance and international calls, the topic couldn't be more important for consumers confronting taxing times.

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Lunch Seminar, April 12, 2011

Register now to hear Rep. Cliff Stearns, Chairman of the House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, deliver opening keynote remarks at the Free State Foundation's April 12,  2011, Lunch Seminar, "Regulatory Reform at the FCC: Why Not Now?" At the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C., Congressman Stearns and an expert panel, including FCC Chief of Staff Edward Lazarus, will explore issues relating to regulatory reform and institutional change at the Federal Communications Commission. The speakers' bios are here.
 

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Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference Covered Live by C-SPAN
 
The Free State Foundation's Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference, held on February 4, 2011, was covered live by C-SPAN. Watch C-SPAN's coverage of the conference here. 


Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference

Register now for the Free State Foundation's Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference -- Friday, February 4, 2011, at the National Press Club. The agenda is available here. An outstanding lineup of speakers will discuss and debate hot-button communications policy issues, including net neutrality, and broadband and spectrum policy. FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker will deliver the opening keynote address, and FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell will participate in a lunchtime conversation.


 2010:

Looking Forward: Will Congress Establish Broadband Policy?


The video from the Free State Foundation's October 12, 2010, seminar entitled, "Looking Forward: Will Congress Establish Broadband Policy?", is now available here. The seminar featured top congressional staff members from both parties and from both the House of Representatives and the Senate Commerce Committees discussing broadband policy and net neutrality, spectrum policy, universal reform, and other communications policy issues. 

On Tuesday, October 12, 2010, join Free State Foundation for lunch and a discussion considering all the angles of Congress's various ideas for legislation clarifying the FCC's authority to regulate broadband Internet service providers. The program will be from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Washington, D.C. in the Congressional Meeting Room North. Featured speakers include: Neil Fried, Senior Counsel, House Energy and Commerce Committee; David Quinalty, Professional Staff Member, Senate Commerce Committee; Daniel Sepulveda, Senior Advisor, Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet; and Bruce Wolpe, Senior Advisor, House Energy and Commerce Committee. All of the event's details are available here.

 
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After Comcast: What Now for Net Neutrality?

The video from the program is now available here.

On Tuesday, June 1, 2010, the Free State Foundation and the Information Technology and Information are jointly presenting a program, "After Comcast: What's Net for Net Neutrality?" The program will be from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM at ITIF's offices located 1101 K Street, Nw, Suite 610, Washington, DC. Featured speakers include: Richard Bennett, Research Fellow, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation;   James Cicconi, Senior Executive Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T;   Eric Klinker, Chief Executive Officer, BitTorrent;   Randolph May, President, Free State Foundation;  James Speta, Professor, Northwestern University School of Law; and  Steven Teplitz, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Time Warner Cable. All the event details are here.
 

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The FCC's "Future of Media" Inquiry: What Is the FCC Doing - And Why?

This April 16, 2010, event at noon at the National Press Club will feature the FCC's Steven Waldman, who is leading the FCC's inquiry. Other speakers include James Taranto, the editor of the Wall Street Journal's OpinionJournal.com; Donna Gregg, FSF Adjunct Senior Fellow and former chief of the FCC's Media Bureau; and Deborah Taylor Tate, FSF Distinguished Adjunct Senior Fellow and former FCC Commissioner. All of the details are here. The video from FSF's "Future of Media" program held on April 16, 2010, at the National Press Club is now available here. 

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The Free State Foundation's Annual Winter Telecom Conference Video

The video from FSF's Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference held on January 29, 2010, at the National Press Club are now available. The links to the various sessions are below:

Welcome and Introduction by Free State Foundation President Randolph J. May and Opening Keynote Address by FCC Commissioner Robert M. McDowell - Click here.

Panel 1: "The FCC's Broadband Plan: The Good, The Bad, and the Just So-So?" - Click here. This panel features: Stuart Benjamin, FCC; Jeffrey Campbell, Cisco; Steven Davis, Qwest; Steve Largent, CTIA, Thomas Power, NTIA; Paul de Sa, FCC; and Joe Waz, Comcast.

Panel 2: "Net Neutrality Regulation: Why Now - Or Ever?" - Click here. This panel features: Robert Atkinson, ITIF; Rick Whitt, Google; Kyle McSlarrow, NCTA; Howard Shelanski, FTC; Tom Tauke, Verizon; and Christopher Yoo, University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Luncheon Program: "Conversation on FCC's Policies and Processes," with FCC Chief of Staff Edward Lazarus and Free State Foundation President Randolph May - Click here.

A PDF version of the conference agenda is here.

2009:

Free State Foundation Distinguished Adjunct Senior Fellow Deborah Taylor Tate will moderate a program on cybersecurity at the ITU Telecom World 2009 conference in Geneva. The program, entitled, "Managing Digital Identity: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly," is on October 6, 2009. More information about the program is here.

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On September 10, 2009, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon, the Free State Foundation will hold an event at the National Press Club to celebrate the release of its new book, "New Directions in Communications Policy." Keynote speakers are Meredith Attwell Baker, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission, and Blair Levin, Executive Director of the FCC's Omnibus Broadband Initiative. Other speakers include Professors James Speta, Christopher Yoo, and John Mayo, all nationally known experts in telecommunications law and policy. Cleck here for program and registration information and here for the agenda. 
 

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FSF President Randolph J. May participates as a speaker in a July 31 program titled, "Agencies of Change: Exploring Institutional Reform at the FCC and FERC," at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Chicago.

 
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The Free State Foundation will hold a lunch seminar on June 5, 2009, from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm entitled, "Broadband Nation: Where Does the U.S. Really Stand in the World Rankings?"  The seminar will be held in Congressional Meeting Room North at the new Capitol Visitor Center.  A complimentary lunch will be provided.  Ambassador David A. Gross, former U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy at the U.S. Department of State, will address the progress of the U.S. concerning broadband deployment and usage and explain why the oft-cited OECD rankings do not accurately depict the true position of the U.S. vis-a-vis other countries.  After his remarks, there will be reactions and comments by the panelists: Robert Atkinson, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, Link Hoewing, Verizon Communications, and Christopher Guttman-McCabe, CTIA - The Wireless Association.  For more details and to register, click here.  The current agenda can be found here.

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The Free State Foundation is sponsoring a conference on February 26, 2009, from 8:45 am - 4:15 pm entitled, "New Directions in Communications Policy."  The conference will be held on the 13th floor of the National Press Club.  A complimentary lunch will be provided.  Representative Marsha Blackburn of the House Commerce Committee will deliver an opening keynote address.  Blair Levin, Managing Director of Stifel Nicolaus and Obama Transition Team Leader, will be the featured luncheon speaker. Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell, former FCC Chairman Richard Wiley, and former FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate will moderate the three panels examining several hot-topic issues confronting policymakers, including broadband policy, network neutrality, universal service, media regulation, FCC institutional reform, and the Obama Administration's coordination of technology policy.  For more details and to register, click here.  The current agenda can be found here.


2008:

The Free State Foundation is sponsoring a seminar on October 24, 2008, from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm entitled, "Archaic Intercarrier Compensation and Universal Service Regimes: Proposals for Reform," featuring Gerald Brock, Professor of Telecommunication and of Public Policy and Public Administration at the George Washington University and John Mayo, Professor of Economics, Business and Public Policy and Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate will deliver Introductory Remarks. The seminar will be held in Room 2322, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. A complimentary lunch will be provided. For more details and to register, click here. Professor Brock's Powerpoint slides are here and Professor Mayo's are here.

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The Free State Foundation is sponsoring a seminar on September 26, 2008, from 11:45 AM - 1:45 pm entitled, "Delivering Media Content in a New Technological Environment: An Exploration of Policy Implications," featuring Steven S. Wildman, James H. Quello Chair of Telecommunication Studies and Co-Director of the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law at Michigan State University, and FCC Commissioner Robert M. McDowell. The seminar will be held at the National Academy of Public Administration, 900 7th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC. A complimentary lunch will be provided. For more details and to register, click here.

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The Free State Foundation is sponsoring a seminar on April 28, 2008, from 12 noon - 2:00 pm entitled, "Reforming Universal Service: What Should Be Done and How to Do It." The seminar will be held in Room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. A complimentary lunch will be provided. A distinguished group of experts will discuss what should be done on a short and long-term basis to reform the system. For more details and to register, click here. 


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On April 3, 2008, FSF President Randolph May will moderate a program entitled "FCC Reform: Changing the Institution" sponsored by the American Bar Association's Section of Administrative Law and Regualtory Practice. The topic is timely and the program features a stellar line-up of speakers. All the details and a registration form are here.

 

2007:

The Free State Foundation and the Institute for Policy Innovation are co-sponsoring a conference--"The Federal Unbundling Commission?"--on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, on Capitol Hill. The conference will explore whether proposed or adopted regulations requiring broadband service operators to unbundle their networks, content, and applications constitute sound communications policies. Senator Jim DeMint and Representative Marsha Blackburn, both members of the Commerce committees with jurisdiction over the Federal Communications Commission, will deliver keynote addresses at the October 30 conference. Sen. DeMint and Rep. Blackburn are two of the nation's most articulate and knowledgeable advocates of market-oriented communications policy reform. Senator DeMint will deliver the opening keynote and Representative Blackburn will deliver the luncheon address. FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate will introduce Rep. Blackburn and deliver brief remarks. The event will feature many notable public policymakers, scholars, and industry experts. For more details and registration information, click here. The entire program booklet with the agenda and speaker bios is here. 

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Free State Foundation President Randolph J. May will debate Christopher Libertelli, Senior Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs, North America, Skype Limited, at the Fourth Annual Conference on Spectrum Management sponsored by Law Seminars International on Tuesday, September 18. The topic: "The Debate over Net Neutrality and Its Potential Impact on Spectrum Policy." The debate takes place at 1:30 PM at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. 

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On August 1, 2007, at noon, FSF President Randolph J. May will speak to the Baltimore Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society. The topic is "The Future of Internet Regulation: Will Free Speech and Property Rights Prevail?" The event details are here.

  
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Free State Foundation President Randolph J. May participates in the KMB Video Journal Conference on "Building the Next Generation Broadband Networks: What Are the Issues?" On May 8, 2007, Mr. May is speaking on the topic, "State Versus Interstate Issues Regarding Broadband Policy: What Has Been Preempted and Why." 

 
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On April 30, 2007, Randolph J. May, Free State Foundation President, will be a witness at a hearing convened by the New York City Council Committee on Technology in Government to consider net neutrality. Click here for his testimony.

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Free State Foundation President Randolph May is a panelist in the first session of the FCC’s Open Internet Roundtable series scheduled for September 16, 2014. This first Roundtable session, titled “Tailoring Policy to Harms,” will address “Policy Approaches to Ensure an Open Internet.” Two fundamental questions will be discussed: what are the harms to Internet openness in the absence of open Internet regulations, and what are the right policies to address those harms? Mr. May’s fellow panelists are Althea Erickson, Etsy; Julie Kearney, Consumer Electronics Association; Barbara van Schewick, Stanford University; Michael Weinberg, Public Knowledge; and David Young, Verizon, along with moderators Julie Veach, Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC and Matthew DelNero, Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC. The roundtables are free and open to the public, and the FCC also will stream them live at http://www.fcc.gov/live. For addition information, click here.

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Free State Foundation President Randolph J. May is a panelist during a three-day conference at the FCC, cosponsored by the American Enterprise Institute’s Center for Internet, Communications, and Technology Policy and the University of Nebraska College. The conference will highlight the latest academic thinking on broadband regulation and give regulators the opportunity to interact with leading scholars in the field. On September 11, Mr. May will discuss Elon University’s Enrique Armijo’s paper “Government‐Provided Internet Access Terms of Service as Speech Rules,” along with Jason Llorenz of Rutgers University. Professor Armijo’s paper will examine the implications of government‐provided access to high‐speed Internet for public safety, free expression, and digital development in urban spaces. For additional information, click here.


 

View a slideshow of the Free State Foundation’s Book Celebration – A Reader on Net Neutrality and Restoring Internet Freedom, held November 9, 2018, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.


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View a slideshow of the Free State Foundation’s Policy Seminar on FCC Process Reform, Municipal Broadband, and Consumer Protection at the FTC,  held June 28, 2018, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

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View a slideshow of the Free State Foundation's Tenth Annual Telecom Policy Conference – “Connecting All of America: Advancing the Gigabit and 5G Future” –
held March 27, 2018, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

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View a slideshow of the Free State Foundation's Policy Seminar – "Next Generation 5G Wireless Networks: Seizing the Opportunities and Overcoming the Obstacles" – held July 25, 2017, at the National Press Club.

#FSF5G


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View a slideshow of Free State Foundation's Ninth Annual Telecom Policy Conference – "A New Direction for Communications Policy: Less Regulation, More Investment and Innovation" – held May 31, 2017, at the National Press Club.

#FSFConf9

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View a slideshow of the Free State Foundation's Tenth Anniversary Gala Luncheon held on December 7, 2016, at the National Press Club.

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View a slideshow of the Free State Foundation’s Eighth Annual Telecom Policy Conference – "The FCC and the Rule of Law" – held March 23, 2016, at the National Press Club.


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View a slideshow of the Free State Foundation’s seminar celebrating the publication of, "The Constitutional Foundations of Intellectual Property" – held October 26, 2015, at the National Press Club.

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View a slideshow of the Free State Foundation’s policy seminar, "Implementing Real Regulatory Reform at the FCC" – held July 28, 2015, at the National Press Club.


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View a slideshow of the Free State Foundation’s Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference – "The Future of the Internet: Free Market Innovation or Government Control?" – held March 19, 2015, at the National Press Club.

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View a slideshow below of the Free State Foundation's policy seminar, "Thinking the Unthinkable: Imposing the 'Utility Model' on Internet Providers," held Friday, November 14, 2014, at the National Press Club.

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View a slideshow below of the Free State Foundation's policy seminar, "Reforming Communications Policy in the Digital Age: The Path Forward," held June 25, 2014, at the Capitol Visitors Center.

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View a slideshow below of the Free State Foundation's Sixth Annual Telecom Conference, "A New FCC and a New Communications Act: Aligning Communications Policy with Marketplace Realities," held March 18, 2014, at the National Press Club.

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View a slideshow below of notable keynoters at various Free State Foundation events.

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View the YouTube videos of FSF's "A New FCC or the Same Old, Same Old?" lunch seminar at the National Press Club, October 24, 2013.


View the YouTube video of FSF’s
"If I Were the FCC Chairman" lunch seminar held at the National Press Club on June 4, 2013.


View a slideshow below of the Free State Foundation's "If I Were the FCC Chairman" lunch seminar held on June 4, 2013, at the National Press Club.

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View a slideshow below of the Free State Foundation’s Fifth Annual Telecom Policy Conference, "Completing The Transition to a Digital World: How to Finish the Job and Why It Matters," held at the National Association of Home Builders on March 21, 2013.

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View the YouTube videos of Sen. Rubio’s speech and FSF President Randolph May's conversation with FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai at the Free State Foundation’s Fifth Annual Telecom Policy Conference, "Completing The Transition to a Digital World: How to Finish the Job and Why It Matters," held on March 21, 2013, at the National Association of Home Builders.



View the YouTube video of FSF's January 23, 2013,  event celebrating FSF’s new book, "Communications Law and Policy in the Digital Age: The Next Five Years," at the National Press Club.

 
View YouTube videos of FSF's October 18, 2012, "Ideas for Communications Law and Policy Reform for 2013" Seminar at the National Press Club.


View a slideshow below of the Free State Foundation’s seminar, “Ideas for Communications Law and Policy Reform for 2013,” held at the National Press Club on October 18, 2012.

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View C-SPAN’s video of the Free State Foundation’s May 30, 2012 seminar, "The Multi-Stakeholder Private Internet Governance Model: Can It Survive Threats From The UN?"


View a slideshow below of the Free State Foundation’s seminar, "The Multi-Stakeholder Private Internet Governance Model: Can It Survive Threats From The UN?" held at the National Press Club on May 30, 2012.

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View the slideshow below of the Free State Foundation's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference, "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?" held on March 20, 2012, at the National Press Club.

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View the slideshow below of The Free State Foundation’s Fifth Anniversary Celebration Lunch held at the Mayflower Hotel on October 12, 2011.

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View the video of the Free State Foundation's October 12, 2011 Fifth Anniversary Celebration Lunch program, "Communications Law and Policy in the Digital Age: The Next Five Years."

 

View the C-SPAN video of the Free State Foundation's April 12, 2011, "Regulatory Reform at the FCC: Why Not Now?" Seminar
here.

 
View the slideshow below from FSF's April 12, 2011, "Regulatory Reform at the FCC: Why Not Now?" Seminar.

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View the slideshow below from FSF's February 4, 2011, Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference, "Broadband Policy: One Year After the National Broadband Plan."

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View C-SPAN's coverage of the February 4, 2011, FSF Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference here.




A Link to the Video for FSF's September 10, 2009, Conference Is Here.

 

"Broadband Nation: Where Does the U.S. Really Stand in the World Rankings?"


Conference video is
now available here.

The agenda can be found here.

 

New Directions in Communications Policy Project


 

For more information, contact: info@freestatefoundation.org
Mailing Address: The Free State Foundation, P. O. Box 60680, Potomac, MD 20859
Office Location: 6259 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-984-8253


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