Connecting America
Broadband Policy Issues and Options for State Legislatures
Seminar Handouts & Links
Broadband Internet service is an important key to the nation's leadership in technological and economic initiatives. The President, the Congress and the Federal Communications Commission have identified rapid deployment of high-speed broadband as a national priority. However, a national broadband initiative will not succeed without a similar commitment at the state level. State legislative policies can stimulate or impede broadband development and demand. This meeting will explain the importance of broadband to state economies and will highlight innovative programs, best practices and creative funding approaches used by states and communities to implement high-speed broadband.
This program was made possible by the NCSL Foundation for State Legislatures Connecting America Partners Project.
Saturday | Sunday
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8:00 am - 12:00 noon
Meet at the Lower Lobby of the Hyatt Regency for transport-tation to the Center. |
Tour/Briefing: Center for Connected Health, Boston
The Center for Connected Health at Partners HealthCare focuses on extending the care community beyond the traditional walls of healthcare institutions by bringing healthcare to the everyday surroundings of health consumers and their families. They are leading a set of strategic initiatives that use communication technologies to develop new models of care that will extend and enhance the patient-physician relationship, and show measured improvements in access, quality and efficiency of care. During this visit, the Center will give an overview of the factors driving the future healthcare system needs and explore strategies to meet those needs including hands-on demos of the technology involved. A continental breakfast will be provided at the Center.
Site Visit Summary
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12:15 pm - 1:30 pm
Hyatt Regency Downtown-Dedham
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Opening Plenary Luncheon: Connecting America—The Economic Benefits of Broadband
Broadband delivers a wide range of resources and essential services and offers strong economic benefits for communities. This session will provide evidence that shows the economic impacts of broadband are both real and measurable.
- Co-Presiding: Senator Carol Fukunaga, Hawaii, Co-Chair, Connecting America Partners Project
- Senator Orville Smidt, South Dakota, Co-Chair, Connecting America Partners Project
- Speaker: Marvin A. Sirbu, Professor of Engineering and Public Policy, Industrial Administration and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania
Session Summary
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1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
Hyatt Regency Downtown-Marquis |
Broadband in Other Countries: Is America Falling Behind?
How does America rank compared to other countries in the global race for high-speed Internet? This session examines broadband deployment challenges and opportunities in the U.S.
- Moderator: Matthew H. Kisber, Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee
- Speakers: Rob Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Washington, D.C.
- Rick Cimerman, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Washington, D.C.
- George Ford, Chief Economist, Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal and Public Policy Studies, Washington, D.C.
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3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Hyatt Regency Downtown-Marquis |
Broadband Case Studies and Best Practices: Connected Nation
Connected Nation, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization that is engaged with multiple states to facilitate efforts that enhance broadband deployment. This session provides an in-depth look at the Connected Nation, Connect Kentucky and Connected Tennessee initiatives.
- Co-Presiding: Senator Carol Fukunaga, Hawaii, Co-Chair, Connecting America Partners Project
- Senator Orville Smidt, South Dakota, Co-Chair, Connecting America Partners Project
- Speakers: Brian Mefford, President and CEO, Connected Nation, Inc., Washington, D.C.
- Representative Mark Maddox, Tennessee
Session Summary |
4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Hyatt Regency Downtown-Marquis |
State Approaches to Broadband
Several states have recently initiated projects to promote broadband deployment. This session provides a look at specific projects in these states and will also allow attendees to discuss projects and approaches in their own states.
- Co-Presiding: Senator Carol Fukunaga, Hawaii, Co-Chair, Connecting America Partners Project
- Senator Orville Smidt, South Dakota, Co-Chair, Connecting America Partners Project
- Speakers: Gaye Symington, Speaker, House of Representatives, Vermont
- Lisa Wallmeyer, Executive Director, Joint Commission on Technology and Science, Virginia
- Representative Daniel E. Bosley, Massachusetts
Session Summary |
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Hyatt Regency Downtown-Nantucket |
Connecting America Reception
This reception provides attendees and private sector partners of the Connecting America Project the opportunity to meet and greet. |
Sunday, August 5 |
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8:15 am - 9:30 am
205B, BCEC |
Continental Breakfast and Issues Roundtables
Tables will be designated for specific broadband issues. Select a topic and discuss broadband with others interested in and knowledgeable about these topics. |
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9:45 am - 10:30 am
205A, BCEC |
Bringing Broadband to Rural Communities
Providing broadband services to rural America has presented serious technological, financial, and policy challenges. This session suggests ways those challenges might be overcome.
- Co-Presiding: Senator Carol Fukunaga, Hawaii, Co-Chair, Connecting America Partners Project
- Senator Orville Smidt, South Dakota, Co-Chair, Connecting America Partners Project
- Speakers: Rob Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Washington, D.C.
The State of Rural Broadband--Rob Atkinson
- Thomas C. Dorr, Under Secretary for Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
Under Secretary Dorr's remarks
- Jack Geller, President, Center for Rural Policy and Development, Minnesota State University, St. Peter, Minnesota
Session Summary |
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10:45 am - 11:45 am
205A, BCEC |
The Broadband Regulatory Environment: Industry and Regulators Discuss What Works and What Doesn't
In regulating broadband, states must balance the often competing goals of encouraging rapid broadband deployment with protecting consumers and providing universal services with fostering a healthy business environment. This session serves as a forum to review both the successful and unsuccessful policies states are using to address these challenges.
- Moderator: Matthew H. Kisber, Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee
- Speakers: Jeff Campbell, Senior Telecom Policy Counsel, Cisco, Washington, D.C.
- Rick Cimerman, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Washington, D.C.
- Coralette Hannon, Senior Legislative Representative, AARP, Washington, D.C.
- Steve Kelley, Director, Director, Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Minnesota
- Gary Matz, V.P. & Chief Counsel, Regulatory Affairs, Time Warner Cable, Stamford, Connecticut
- Bret Perkins, Vice President, Government Affairs, Comcast Cable, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- James B. Ramsay, General Counsel, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Washington, D.C.
- Scott Sapperstein, Executive Director, State Government Affairs, AT&T, San Antonio Texas
- Walter White, Vice President, State & Local Government, Verizon Communications, Washington, D.C.
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Noon - 1:30 pm
205B, BCEC |
Closing Plenary Lunch: Wireless Broadband: Answering the Call
(Joint with the Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee)
Broadband Internet service is key to the nation's leadership in technological and economic initiatives. Mr. Largent will discuss the deployment of broadband in less populous areas and the future of wireless technology.
- Connecting America Seminar Closing Remarks: Senator Carol Fukunaga, Hawaii and Senator Orville Smidt, South Dakota
- Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee: Opening Remarks: Assemblymember Upendra Chivukula, General Assembly Majority Whip, New Jersey
- Introductions: Representative Donna Stone, Delaware
- Speaker: Steve Largent, President and CEO, CTIA - The Wireless Association, Washington, D.C.
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For information about the Connecting America Foundation for State Legislatures Partners Project, contact Bob Boerner or Pam Greenberg at the NCSL Denver Office, 303-364-7700.
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