May 20
One of the biggest stories in the news last week was Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality is defined by the Federal Communications Commission as “Open Internet;” although they make no mention of platforms or services. The FCC does not currently have jurisdiction to regulate the internet; hard to believe isn’t it?
Mar 7
Next week, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is hosting the 2014 Annual Tribal Nations Legislative Summit and 113th Congress Executive Council. Aimed at connecting Tribal leadership with governmental leadership the event is scheduled for March 11-13, 2014 with most events taking place in the Westin Washington City Center, Washington, DC.
In advance of this meeting, Jodi Gillette, the Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs in the White House Domestic Policy Council, released in a blog post both the Synopsis for the the 2013 Tribal Nations Conference and the 2013 White House Tribal nations Conference Progress Report.
Jan 14
Late last year, we told you about the House Energy and Commerce Committee beginning the process of what they called a multi-year effort to rewrite and modernize the Telecommunications Act of 1996; which, in and of itself, is a rewrite of the Communications Act of 1934.
Dec 10
Tribal reservations are among the most underserved and unserved areas in the country in terms of connectivity, with only 10% broadband penetration, nearly 30% not having access to plain old phone telephone services, many without access to 991 service, and where market forces do not encourage investment; this is where regulatory creativity is a must. As Congress begins the process of rewriting the Communications act of 1934, they must consider the needs of Tribal nations and Indian Country.
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