From Broadcast To Broadband Panel 2: What is the Public Interest in Wireless?
Channel: New America
Date: 25/05/2012

From Broadcast To Broadband Panel 2: 
What is the Public Interest in Wireless?

In coordination with New America's Open Technology Institute, Public Knowledge, and the Rutgers School of Law | Camden: Institute for Information Policy & Law.

Traditionally, mobile telephony has focused primarily on universal service as the key public interest obligation, similar to wireline voice service. As the rise of mobile broadband and smart devices enable new capabilities for communities, do we need to reexamine what it means to make sure that wireless licenses serve "the public interest, convenience and necessity?" What is the role of unlicensed wireless access? Is unlicensed itself a public interest value? Alternatively, does the fact that unlicensed spectrum is open to anyone mean that there are no special obligations attached to its use? If so, should we allow unlicensed wireless providers to benefit from subsidies such as lifeline and high cost that have usually been part of the quid pro quo for the obligation to serve the broader community?

Panelists
Wally Bowen
Founder and Executive Director
Mountain Area Information Network

Benjamin Lennett
Policy Director
Open Technology Institute, New America Foundation

Amalia Deloney
Associate Director
Center for Media Justice

Amina Fazlullah
Public Policy Counsel
Benton Foundation

Margaret McCarthy
Professional Staff Member
Office of Congressman Henry A. Waxman

Moderator
Harold Feld
Legal Director
Public Knowledge

http://www.newamerica.net/newamerica.net/broadcast-to-broadband