Computer and Telecommunications Law Section Newsletter

• “Communications Policy in the 111th Congress: A View from the Hill”
• Section Steering Committee

On Friday, November 6, 2009, the Computer and Telecommunications Law Section (CTLS) hosted a Brown Bag panel entitled, “Communications Policy in the 111th Congress: A View from the Hill”, moderated by Betsy McIntyre, Brookings LEGIS Congressional Fellow (Office of Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)). The panelists discussed the legislative priorities for Congress in the next 12 months. On behalf of CTLS, we would like to thank Latham & Watkins LLP for its support and the following panelists who took time from their busy schedules to share their viewpoints and expertise during this well-attended event:

Matthew Hussey—Legislative Assistant, Telecommunications, Commerce, Science, and Education, Office of Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Greta H. Joynes—Sr. Legislative Assistant, Office of Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL)
Amy Levine—Subcommittee Counsel, Majority Staff, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, House Committee of Energy and Commerce
Jessica Rosenworcel—Sr. Communications Counsel, Majority Staff, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Rob Seidman—Policy Director, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

In addition to net neutrality and the National Broadband Plan, the panelists mentioned the FCC should focus on universal service, and discussed Congressman Boucher’s recently introduced universal service legislation. Some panelists noted the FCC should move forward on the national public safety communications network, E-911, and spectrum issues. Finally, some congressional members would like to ensure problems resulting from Verizon’s divestiture to Fairpoint Communications are not repeated in Verizon’s divestiture to Frontier. The panelists also discussed reauthorizing SHVERA (the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004), and the Spectrum Inventory Act introduced by Senators Olympia Snowe and John Kerry (D-MA).

In response to a question from the audience regarding the need for broadcasters to give up more spectrum, two panelists said a preliminary step is getting an accurate inventory of commercial and government spectrum and using that inventory efficiently. Once those steps are accomplished, then broadcasters should be approached about giving up more spectrum. As noted above, we discussed several interesting topics during the brown bag.

Please feel free to contact any of the CTLS steering committee members to suggest a future panel topic. We also welcome any ideas for outreach activities that would further the D.C. Bar and CTLS’ relationship with the Washington, DC community.

Sincerely,

CTLS Steering Committee Members

Joy M. Ragsdale, Chair
Carolyn W. Brandon, Vice Chair
Nicholas Alexander
Matthew Brill
Emmitt Carlton
Lynn Charytan
Christopher Libertelli
Betsy McIntyre
Holly Sauer
Lynn Anderson (Community Outreach)
Diallo Crenshaw (Community Outreach)