Viva Las Vegas… and CES

Earlier this month, I attended the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.  With over 150,000 people in attendance, from all over the world, it was an incredible experience.  The technology one has an opportunity to view ranges from the simple (audio speakers and headphones) to the more sophisticated software with applications that are truly innovative.  There were innovative electronic devices for smart cars, smart homes, smart phones, smart tablets, … smart everything!

One of the more popular areas of the CES show floor were the robotics, with flying drones that moved in precision to music and could take videos from several different angles.  The 3 dimensional printers were also very popular this year, after having made their initial launch last year.  In one year, the 3D printer technology has exploded and several companies are now offering personal 3D printers for home or small business use.  While I was sampling a piece of candy that was “printed” on a 3D printer, Martha Stewart (!) came by to see how the printers could be used as an arts and crafts and cooking tool.

Innovations in technology are also helping consumers improve their health and fitness and an entire area of the show was devoted to digital health.  While many of us are familiar with activity trackers such as Jawbone and Fitbit, I found many other fitness tools in the digital health section that can help individuals who may have special health needs such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

In addition to the technology on display on the show floor, there were many policy panel discussions.  FCC Chairman Wheeler had a one-on-one dialogue with CEA’s President Gary Shapiro.  The Chairman spoke about the upcoming incentive spectrum auctions, the IP transition, and several other issues on the FCC’s agenda such as the e-rate and disability access to technology.  The other four Commissioners participated on another panel and continued the discussion on some of these issues, as well as the topic of an open Internet.

CES is a truly amazing experience.  The level of innovation that is happening today is overwhelming.  It is important to note that so many of these devices that have been developed, or that will soon be in consumers’ homes and hands, will need reliable networks to operate.   So I can see firsthand how important it is to consumers to make more spectrum available.  This is an important goal for us to all work toward.

Court Decision on Net Neutrality

On January 14th,  the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued its decision in the case of Verizon v. FCC, with regards to the FCC’S net neutrality rules.  The decision basically strikes down the Commission’s anti-blocking and anti-discrimination net neutrality regulations on Internet service providers.  You can check out the Court’s decision here: http://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/3AF8B4D938CDEEA685257C6000532062/$file/11-1355-1474943.pdf

FCC Presentation on IP Transition

Last week was quite a week for the Federal Communications Commission and the new Chairman, Tom Wheeler.  Not only did all five Commissioners testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the full slate of issues before the agency, but also on the same day this week they held a monthly meeting that addressed some important issues for consumers.  While one issue clearly got all the press – the question of whether or not we will be able to make calls on airplanes in the near future – there was another agenda item of significant interest to consumers:  the IP transition.

I attended the FCC’s meeting and listened to the presentation from the FCC’s Technology Transitions Policy Task Force.  The Task Force staff outlined its recommendations for experiments – or trials –, which the Commissioners will vote on in January at their next monthly meeting (to be held on January 30^th). The trials will help determine any issues related to the transition to Internet Protocol delivery of network services – a transition that has been ongoing for some time already, bringing advanced services to consumers.  It was great to hear that the Commission is interested in conducting these trials and getting them done in an expeditious manner.

Assuming the January order is approved, and based on the positive statements from all Commissioners, the Task Force indicated the order would include short timelines to expedite the process.  I was also pleased to hear that the trials will focus on the consumer impact.  At the meeting, the FCC also announced that the agency would partner with the National Institute on Aging to collaborate on research into the use of IP technology to improve and make more accessible telecommunications services that can benefit older adults with hearing disabilities or deafness.  Chairman Wheeler announced that he expects there will be other agency collaborations on the IP transition.

I think it’s great that the FCC is taking the first step to move forward on determining how to address any consumer issues related to the ongoing IP transition and I look forward to more information to come with the January order.

Senate Panel on Spectrum Auctions

Interesting hearing today before the Senate Commerce Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on “Creating a Successful Incentive Auction: Stakeholders’ Perspectives.” The witnesses represented a balanced perspective from industry and government.

Gary Epstein, the FCC’s Chair of the Incentive Auction Task Force and Special Advisor to the Chairman, spoke about the Commission’s expectation to present policy recommendations on the spectrum auction by early next year. AT&T’s Vice President of Federal Regulatory Affairs, Joan Marsh, spoke about the importance of an open and unrestricted spectrum auction. Unrestricted auctions are most successful, raising more revenue and resulting in a greater number of bidders. She added that if there are any limits, they need to be applied neutrally and fairly to all auction participants. Harold Feld, Public Knowledge, spoke about having the spectrum be a win-win-win: increasing unlicensed and licensed spectrum, and increasing competition.

All of the witnesses were in agreement that FCC Chairman Wheeler’s delay of FCC spectrum auction action to 2015 was the right decision. There is a great deal at stake for the both industry and consumers.

Preston Padden (Executive Director, Expanding Opportunities for Broadcasters) said the single most important element of the entire auction is the first step to get broadcasters in the door and then figure out the right price for their spectrum. Rick Kaplan (National Association of Broadcasters) added that you have to get the software right as well.

I imagine there will be more Congressional panels on this topic, to address the important questions the spectrum auction raises for the wireless industry and consumers.

A Conversation with PPI’s Digital Pioneers

The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) sponsored a program this week that was a conversation with America’s digital policy pioneers on the topic, “Enabling the Internet.”  For me, it was a walk down memory lane.  The conversation focused on the development of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and implementation years after the Act in the late 90’s and early 21^st century.  I was representing state consumer advocates during the drafting of the Telecom Act, and also active in the years of implementing the Act that followed.  It was a fascinating discussion.

The “policy pioneers” included:  Former FCC Chairmen William Kennard and Michael Powell, Former NTIA Administrator Larry Irving, Ambassador Karen Kornbluh, and Ira Magaziner, Former Senior Advisor on Policy Development to President Clinton.  Larry Downes, Internet industry analyst and author, served as the moderator of this illustrious panel.  Before the panel kicked-off, PPI’s President and Founder, Will Marshall spoke about the critical importance of a free and open Internet.  Competition, not regulation, and wise policy decisions have led to a vibrant Internet, he stressed.  It’s an important message that was repeated by several of the panelists during the evening discussion.

During the discussion with the digital policy pioneers, another common statement was one first made by Chairman Kennard: it’s important to “first do no harm.”  In speaking about any efforts toward regulation, he said it was important not to create distortion in the market.  Chairman Powell spoke about the difficulty of how to treat new technologies, and having the courage to respect innovation and have regulatory restraint.  As we look back at that point, it was an important concept, and one that allowed the Internet to become what it is today.

Larry Irving spoke about the challenges going forward and one of those is the need for more spectrum and figuring out the right regulatory models for investment.  The other digital pioneers spoke about concerns about the global Internet and risks around the world to Internet freedom and openness.  Chairman Powell also expressed concern about cyber threats and privacy, now that everything is on the Internet.

I thought it was a great conversation.  This step back to look at the legislative and regulatory history of the Internet will help guide us as we step forward.

Technology and Healthcare in the 21st Century

I have continued to follow the topic of how technology is changing the delivery of health services and just went to another program on this topic this week.  The forum on healthcare, held at George Washington University, was on “Improving Access and Outcomes for Patients through 21^st Century Technology.”

There was an interesting panel of health professionals and a tech expert discussing how technology is making an incredible difference in patient care.  Dr. Ivor Braden Horn, of the Children’s National Medical Center, spoke about how iPads are a great device for keeping track of the elderly.  They give remote caregivers an opportunity help older individuals age in place.  She also spoke about how technology can be used to improve care, reduce costs, and be a tool for preventative care.  Dr. Jinha Park, Director of MRI and Radiology Research at the City of Hope, discussed how mobile applications have made it possible for surgeons and radiologists to communicate and improve patient care.

Mobile Future’s Jonathan Spalter spoke about how the exploding “Internet of Things” will connect our home appliances, cars, etc.  Wireless technology is also now helping to manage type I diabetes in implantable devices.  I find it amazing to hear about the ongoing developments in healthcare thanks to technology.  The Federal Communications Commission will be holding a mHealth Expo tomorrow with demonstrations from leading health tech companies.  It will be interesting to see what else is being offered to consumers in this exciting field.

Phoenix Center’s 2013 Telecom Symposium

This week I attended the Phoenix Center’s 2013 Annual U.S. Telecom Symposium.  There were a series of interesting panels, ranging from expert economists to former FCC Commissioners, discussing the hot telecom topics as we near the end of the year and look forward to 2014.

On the first panel of economists, Dr. Rich Clarke, Assistant Vice President at AT&T, provided a comprehensive look at the current use of spectrum.  He cited studies from Erikson, Qualcomm and Cisco showing incredible future data growth. Clarke said that more spectrum, efficient technologies, and increased reuse, have allowed us to keep up with capacity, but that’s all about to change and more raw spectrum is needed at this point in time.  George Mason University Professor Tom Hazlett spoke about achieving real efficiencies by letting spectrum be allocated where it has the most value.

The next panel continued on the topic of spectrum.  Mary Brown, Cisco Systems, stated that she is actually worried that Cisco has underestimated the demand (for data).  She spoke about how no one could predict the tablet and the demand it would create.  So, how do we know what the next big thing could be that would create significant demand?  In discussing the spectrum auctions, the panelists agreed that FCC leadership needs to set auction rules that maximize carrier participation and revenues.

On the next panel, there was a discussion defining the FCC’s role in the 21^st century, and a good deal of talk about the new FCC leadership as well.  Blair Levin, former director, FCC National Broadband Plan, said that the FCC should be an expert agency, providing data and developing decisions that have a factual foundation, based on data collected.  USTA’s Walter McCormick spoke about the needing the agency to do a good job of determining what regulations are no longer necessary.  He said that legacy regulations are not only a drag on investment, but they are also a drag on the FCC ‘s staff time, resources, and focus.  Former FCC Commissioner Rob McDowell talked about the need for the FCC to reform itself and that a multi-year effort to update the Telecom Act should get underway.  He also said it’s the best time to be a consumer of telecom services.

I was pleased to stay to the end of the program when the Phoenix Center presented a well-deserved award to Commissioner, and former Chairwoman, Mignon Clyburn.  She received the 2013 Jerry B. Duvall Public Service Award.

Chairman Wheeler: IP Transition — Now Is The Time To Act

I am greatly encouraged today after reading the latest blog from FCC Chairman Wheeler, “The IP Transition: Starting Now.” He outlines a plan for the FCC to initiate proceedings to address the network changes that are occurring as part of the IP transition. Chairman Wheeler states: “We have listened, and now it is the time to act.”

The Chairman has indicated that the FCC’s Technology Transitions Policy Task Force will present an update at the December Commissioner’s meeting and there will likely be an Order with recommendations for immediate action in January. The Order would include recommendations for the Commission on conducting “a diverse set of experiments” to allow the Commission and public to observe (transitions—including AT&T’s proposed trials) impact on consumers and business. Based on the blog, it sounds like it will be a collaborative, thoughtful, and expeditious process “The draft Order should include recommendations to the Commission on how best to speed the initiation of experiments and assess, monitor, measure, and analyze their outcomes.” I also think it’s important that Chairman Wheeler recognizes the importance of the welfare of consumers in the process of the IP transition: “How consumers are informed and protected should be a major component.”

I applaud Chairman Wheeler for getting this process started and for designing a collaborative effort.

For additional reading on the FCC actions, the New York Times has an article on the Chairman’s blog:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/business/media/fcc-chairman-calls-for-transforming-the-technology-used-by-phone-systems.html?_r=0