What's the Download on Municipal Broadband?

Telecommunications & Electronic Media Practice Group Teleforum

The role of municipally-owned and operated broadband networks in the United States has been the subject of considerable debate. Among some stakeholders, there is increasing enthusiasm around the potential for government-owned broadband networks (GONs) to serve as an engine for municipalities to jump-start economic development. When GONs fail, however, the costs are borne by taxpayers. Earlier this year, the FCC threw its hat into the ring by moving aggressively to preempt certain provisions of Tennessee and North Carolina law that restrict municipal provision of broadband service. In this teleforum, our experts will assess the need for GONs, address the competition policy and regulatory issues associated with these projects, and explore whether the FCC’s move to preempt the states will survive judicial appeal.

• Charles M. Davidson, Director, Advanced Communications Law and Policy Institute, New York Law School
• Randolph J. May, President, The Free State Foundation
• Christopher Mitchell, Policy Director, Next Century Cities
• Moderator: Rachael M. Bender, Senior Policy Director, Mobile Future

The role of municipally-owned and operated broadband networks in the United States has been the subject of considerable debate. Among some stakeholders, there is increasing enthusiasm around the potential for government-owned broadband networks (GONs) to serve as an engine for municipalities to jump-start economic development. When GONs fail, however, the costs are borne by taxpayers. Earlier this year, the FCC threw its hat into the ring by moving aggressively to preempt certain provisions of Tennessee and North Carolina law that restrict municipal provision of broadband service. In this teleforum, our experts will assess the need for GONs, address the competition policy and regulatory issues associated with these projects, and explore whether the FCC’s move to preempt the states will survive judicial appeal.

• Charles M. Davidson, Director, Advanced Communications Law and Policy Institute, New York Law School
• Randolph J. May, President, The Free State Foundation
• Christopher Mitchell, Policy Director, Next Century Cities
• Moderator: Rachael M. Bender, Senior Policy Director, Mobile Future

Call begins at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Teleforum calls are open to all dues paying members of the Federalist Society. To become a member, sign up here. As a member, you should receive email announcements of upcoming Teleforum calls which contain the conference call phone number. If you are not receiving those email announcements, please contact us at 202-822-8138.