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.
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.
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