Broadband Breakfast: Will Congress Reopen the 1996 Telecommunications Act?

With the 112th Congress about to begin, Washington is considering the question of how quickly Congress will be able to re-evaluate outdated telecommunications laws. And if a congressional re-write is in store, will it revisit the 2006 template or consider other pressing telecommunications subjects? How will the FCC be affected?

Telecommunications advocates, policy-makers, journalists, top officials and the general public, all seeking to trade insights on these important issues, are invited to attend this event of the Broadband Breakfast Club, which includes full American and Continental breakfasts, for as little as $45.00, plus a modest registration fee.

This event is on the record and open to the public.

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Event Details

Title: Will Congress Reopen the 1996 Telecommunications Act?

Date: Tuesday, January 18, 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Where: Clyde's of Gallery Place, 707 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

The breakfast begins at 8 a.m., followed by a discussion, beginning shortly after 8:30 a.m. and ending by 10 a.m.

Panelists:

* Shirley Bloomfield, CEO, National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA)

Shirley Bloomfield became NTCA's chief executive officer on July 1, 2010. Shirley began her career on Capitol Hill as a staff aide to Congressman David Obey. and went on to serve as a congressional aide on the House Budget Committee. Bloomfield landed at NTCA as a lobbyist in 1986 and left NTCA in 2007 as the vice president of government affairs and association services. She went on to work for major telecommunications companies including Qwest, where she served as senior vice president of federal relations, and Verizon, where she was vice president of federal relations. Bloomfield received her MPA from American University and her BA in economics and urban studies from Northwestern University.

* Fred B. Campbell, Jr., President & CEO, Wireless Communications Association International (WCAI)

Fred Campbell has been President and CEO of the Wireless Communications Association International since August 2008. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law where he teaches spectrum law and policy. Mr. Campbell previously served as Wireless Bureau Chief at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2006-2008. Prior to heading the Wireless Bureau, Mr. Campbell spent two years as Wireless Legal Advisor to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

* Jerry James, CEO, COMPTEL

Jerry James has more than 40 years experience in the communications industry. He was co-founder of telecommunications consulting firm The Warner Whitney Group Inc. Later, when he was at ClayDesta, Jerry built the first all-digital network in Texas. He was a co-founder and president of Grande Communications, which constructed Texas' first FTTH (Fiber to the Home) network. During his career, Jerry has been active in policy advocacy at the local, state and federal levels. He helped found state associations for the competitive communications industry in several states, served on the boards of national trade associations and served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of COMPTEL.

* Walter McCormick, President & CEO, USTelecom

Walter McCormick joined USTelecom in 2001 and has guided the organization's evolution into one of the top trade associations in the nation's capital. Prior to joining USTelecom, Mr. McCormick served as President & CEO of the American Trucking Associations. Previously he served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Transportation, as General Counsel of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and as a partner with Bryan Cave LLP. Mr. McCormick holds degrees in journalism and law from the University of Missouri.

* Other panelists have been invited

The event is moderated by Adam Bender, Associate Editor, Communications Daily, who writes about national policies for cellphones, television and the Internet. Since joining the newsletter in June 2007, Adam has covered Congress, the FCC, federal courts and several major telecom industry conferences. He has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Specialized Information Publishers Association. Adam graduated from American University in May 2007 with a degree in print journalism.

The Broadband Breakfast Club is a "widely attended event" under House of Representatives Rule 25, clause 5(a)(4)(A).

PLEASE NOTE: The Broadband Breakfast Club has moved to Clyde's of Gallery Place, at 707 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, conveniently located adjacent to the Gallery Place Metro Station on the Red Line.

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For individuals outside of Washington, or those whose schedule doesn’t permit attendance in person, archived webcasts of the Broadband Breakfast Club are available for free on BroadbandBreakfast.com.

The Broadband Breakfast Club seeks sponsorship of our events from interested companies and organizations. We especially encourage organizations to sponsor a package of multiple events — such as one of our upcoming topical series. For details on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sylvia Syracuse at 646-262-4630 or [email protected]. The Broadband Breakfast Club is produced by Broadband Census News LLC.