CASE Hosts DC Panel on Speeding Broadband to Consumers

Spring 2019

Early this spring CASE sponsored a panel titled The Consumer Connection: The FCC’s Role in Speeding Broadband Deployment, which touched on a broad range of issues impacting the expansion of new technologies and high-speed broadband access to consumers across the country. Held in Washington, D.C., the luncheon panel drew an audience of over 75 individuals, a diverse crowd drawn from Capitol Hill, private think tanks, federal agencies, and also included well-known policy activists and opinion leaders.

CASE was fortunate to have the participation of panelists who are among the top leaders and thinkers in the innovation and technology sector, including: former FCC Commissioner Rob McDowell; Bartlett D. Cleland, a Senior Advisor at Madery Bridge Associates; Jessica Melugin, Associate Director at the Center of Technology and Innovation at the Competitive Enterprise Institute; and CASE Vice President Gerard Scimeca.

CASE President Matthew Kandrach served as host of the panel, which was moderated by Tom Giovanetti, President of the Institute for Policy Innovation.

While many issues were covered, the overwhelming theme of the event centered on articulating policies that reduce obstacles from government that inhibit investment and thwart technologies from reaching consumers. Special attention was also given to expounding on ways to get rid of outdated regulations that slow progress and excessive fees levied on communications providers that raise costs and limit services available to broadband customers. The event was a tremendous success and received considerable media attention from journals in the legal, technology and communications sector. CASE wishes to thank all who participated and attended, to share ideas and help promote greater broadband access for all consumers.