The Free State Foundation

2013

Video Now Available for FSF's "If I Were the FCC Chairman" Lunch Seminar

A video is available of the Free State Foundation's "If I Were the FCC Chairman" lunch seminar at the National Press Club, June 4, 2013. The speakers, who discussed what they would do if they were the new FCC Chairman, were Gail MacKinnon, Executive Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer, Time Warner Cable; Craig Silliman, Senior Vice President for Public Policy & Government Affairs, Verizon Communications; and Gigi B. Sohn, President & CEO, Public Knowledge; and moderator Randolph J. May, President of The Free State Foundation. You can watch the YouTube video here.

Speakers Announced for FSF's "If I Were the FCC Chairman..." Lunch Seminar  

The speakers have been announced for the Free State Foundation's "If I Were the FCC Chairman..." lunch seminar at the National Press Club, June 4, 2013. The seminar will feature nationally-recognized senior leaders in the communications policy field who will discuss what they would do if they were the new FCC Chairman. Register now! 

Videos and Slideshow are Available of FSF's Fifth Annual Telecom Policy Conference

Videos and a slideshow of event photos are available for viewing in right column boxes on this page.

Senator Rubio's FSF Speech Available

We were very pleased that Senator Marco Rubio delivered his first major address on communications policies and telecom priorities at the Free State Foundation's Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference. Sen. Rubio is a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and its Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet. Here is a link to the written copy of Sen. Rubio’s speech, and you can view a video of his presentation here.

Video of FSF President Randolph May's conversation with FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is Now Available

The March 21, 2013, Free State Foundation Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference opened with FSF President Randolph May's conversation with FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai. During the conversation, Commissioner Pai discussed his regulatory philosophy, reforming FCC processes, the FCC's IP Transition proceeding, broadband policy, net neutrality mandates, spectrum auctions, video regulation, and much more. You can view a video of their conversation here.

Revised Agenda Available for FSF Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference 

A revised agenda for the Free State Foundation's Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference, “Completing the Transition to a Digital World: How to Finish the Job and Why It Matters,” has been released. Please note that due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict, Senator Marco Rubio will deliver his keynote address at 1:00 p.m. during lunch. The conference will open with FSF President Randolph May's conversation with FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai. There will be three panels featuring an outstanding line-up of leading experts from government, industry, and academia discussing the most important communications policy issues of the day. Register now for the March 21, 2013, conference.

Registration Open for FSF Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference!

Register now for the Free State Foundation's Fifth Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference, “Completing the Transition to a Digital World: How to Finish the Job and Why It Matters,” at the National Association of Home Builders (Note: New Location!) on Thursday, March 21, 2013, 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Keynoters are Senator Marco Rubio, Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai. As in the past, an outstanding line-up of leading experts from government, industry, and academia will discuss and debate the most important communications policy issues of the day.

Video Available of FSF's January 23 Book Event

A video is available for viewing in right column box on this page.

FSF Book Luncheon -- Register Now!

Register now for the Free State Foundation's Wednesday, January 23, 2013,  luncheon to celebrate FSF’s new book, "Communications Law and Policy in the Digital Age: The Next Five Years," at the National Press Club. Several of the book's contributing authors, all prominent scholars and experts in the field of communications policy, will discuss their chapters and lead a lively, interactive exchange concerning today's hottest-topic issues. Speakers include: Christopher Yoo, Professor, University of Pennsylvania Law School and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors - "Internet Policy Going Forward: Does One Size Still Fit All?"; Daniel Lyons, Professor, Boston College Law School, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors - "Reforming the Universal Service Fund for the Digital Age"; Ellen Goodman, Professor, Rutgers School of Law – Camden, and Member of FSF's Board of Academic Advisors - "Public Media Policy Reform and Digital Age Realities"; and Seth Cooper, FSF Research Fellow - "Restoring a Minimal Regulatory Environment for a Healthy Wireless Future."  

2012

Videos and Slideshow Available of FSF's October 18 Lunch Seminar

Two videos and a slideshow of event photos are available for viewing in right column boxes on this page.

Register Now – FSF’s Lunch Seminar – October 18!

Register now for the Free State Foundation’s "Ideas for Communications Law and Policy Reform in 2013" Lunch Seminar, Thursday, October 18, 2012, at the National Press Club, 11:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The ideas discussed will include both those that involve revising the Communications Act and proposals for reform of communications policy by the Federal Communications Commission. The program will open with a conversation concerning FCC reform between FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell and FSF President Randolph May. This conversation will be followed by a panel discussion by some of the nation's leading think tankers, each of whom has studied communications law and policy for many years: Robert Atkinson, President, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation; James Gattuso, Senior Research Fellow in Regulatory Policy, The Heritage Foundation; David Honig, President, Minority Media & Telecommunications Council; and Adam Thierer, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center.

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FSF May 30, 2012 Seminar Covered Live by C-SPAN!

View C-SPAN’s video of the Free State Foundation’s seminar, "The Multi-Stakeholder Private Internet Governance Model: Can It Survive Threats From The UN?" The event was held May 30, 2012, at the National Press Club. 

Register Now – FSF’s Lunch Seminar – May 30!

Register now for the Free State Foundation’s lunch seminar, May 30, 2012, 11:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the National Press Club. The seminar, titled "The Multi-Stakeholder Private Internet Governance Model: Can It Survive Threats From The UN?," will address threats to the survival of the current multi-stakeholder privatized Internet governance model posed by competing government-control models put forward in the United Nation's International Telecommunications Union and other international venues. The seminar will focus especially on the upcoming World Conference on International Telecommunications 2012 (WCIT - 12), to be held this coming December, at which Internet governance issues are expected to be addressed. The lead speakers will be Richard Beaird, Senior Deputy United States Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy - Department of State, and FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell. The commenters will be Jacquelynn Ruff, Vice President, International Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Verizon; Gigi Sohn, President, Public Knowledge; and Richard Whitt, Director and Managing Counsel for Public Policy, Google.

FSF Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference Video Now Available!

Videos of the Free State Foundation's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference, "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?" held on March 20, 2012, at the National Press Club, are available by clicking below. For your convenience, the conference video is broken into five segments – the three keynote presentations of Steve Moore, Mignon Clyburn, and Danny Weitzner, plus Panels I & II.

An outstanding line-up of speakers will discuss and debate the conference theme, "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?" Highlights include opening keynoter Steve Moore, the award-winning Wall Street Journal senior economics writer and editorial board member, and widely acclaimed CNBC and Fox News Channel television commentator. The lunch program will feature a lively and informative conversation with FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn concerning her approach to her job and current FCC issues. Closing remarks will be delivered by Danny Weitzner, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, who will discuss Internet policy, including privacy. In addition, leading senior industry executives, FCC chiefs, and nationally-recognized academic experts will debate the most important communications policy issues of the day, including Internet policy and net neutrality, privacy regulation, wireless regulation, the spectrum crunch and spectrum auctions, Universal Service reform, media regulation, FCC merger reviews, FCC institutional reform, and more. The agenda and registration is here. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served, but registration is required to attend.

Agenda Available for FSF's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference

The agenda is now available for the Free State Foundation's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference. The conference is Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 8:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. at the National Press Club. The agenda and registration information is here.

Wall Street Journal’s Steve Moore to Deliver Opening Keynote Address at FSF’s March Conference

Steve Moore, Editorial Board Member and Senior Economics Writer for the Wall Street Journal, will deliver the opening keynote address at the Free State Foundation's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the National Press Club. He joins FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who will participate in a lunchtime keynote conversation with FSF President Randolph May. In addition, an outstanding line-up of leading experts from government, industry, academia, and think tanks will discuss and debate the most important communications policy issues of the day. The conference theme is "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?" Register here.

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Joins FSF’s March Conference Lineup in Keynote Role

In an annual conference tradition, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and FSF President Randolph May will participate in a lunchtime conversation at the Free State Foundation's Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the National Press Club. An outstanding line-up of leading experts from government, industry, academia, and think tanks will discuss and debate the most important communications policy issues of the day. This year's conference theme is: "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?" Register now!

Register Now – FSF’s Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference - March 20!

Register now for the Free State Foundation’s Fourth Annual Telecom Policy Conference – Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the National Press Club, 8:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. An outstanding line-up of leading experts from government, industry, academia, and think tanks will discuss and debate the most important communications policy issues of the day. This year's conference theme is: "The Internet World: Will It Remain Free From Public Utility Regulation?"


2011:

Program Available

Here is the program brochure for tomorrow’s Free State Foundation's October 12, 2011, Fifth Anniversary Celebration Lunch at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. If you have not registered and would like to attend, please click here for registration information.

Register Now for FSF’s Fifth Anniversary Celebration Lunch Seminar!

The Free State Foundation invites you to help celebrate its Fifth Anniversary of its founding at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on October 12, 2011. Sen. Jim DeMint, Ranking Member, Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, and Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Vice-Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, will deliver opening keynote remarks, and Rep. Cliff Stearns, Chairman, House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, will deliver the closing keynote remarks. We want you to celebrate with us, as we look back at the past five years, and, most importantly, ahead to the next five. Indeed, the theme of our program is: "Communications Law and Policy in the Digital Age: The Next Five Years." A complimentary lunch will be served, subject to space limitations and reservations. Register now!

Video Available

A link to the video of the Free State Foundation's Universal Service/Intercarrier Compensation Reform Seminar, held Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at the National Press Club, is here. 

Reminder!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 13, 2011, is the Free State Foundation's Universal Service/Intercarrier Compensation Reform Seminar at the National Press Club. We have a great line up of experts who will explore all the controversial issues surrounding the FCC's USF/ICC reform proposals. A link to the speakers' bios is here.

Mark Your Calendar for FSF's Seminar on July 13, 2011!

Plan to attend the Free State Foundation's Seminar on July 13, 2011, 8:45-11:00 a.m., at the National Press Club, Washington, DC. Expert speakers will explore issues concerning the FCC's promise -- yet again -- to reform the uneconomic and inefficient legacy Universal Service and Intercarrier Compensation subsidy regimes. The FCC is promising to act this summer, so this seminar could not be more timely. And, with the current Universal Service surcharge at 15% for all long distance and international calls, the topic couldn't be more important for consumers confronting taxing times.

Lunch Seminar, April 12, 2011 -- Register Now!

Register now to hear Rep. Cliff Stearns, Chairman of the House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, deliver opening keynote remarks at the Free State Foundation's April 12,  2011, Lunch Seminar, "Regulatory Reform at the FCC: Why Not Now?" At the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C., Congressman Stearns and an expert panel, including FCC Chief of Staff Edward Lazarus, will explore issues relating to regulatory reform and institutional change at the Federal Communications Commission. The speakers' bios are here.
 

Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference Covered Live by C-SPAN
 
The Free State Foundation's Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference, held on February 4, 2011, was covered live by C-SPAN. Watch C-SPAN's coverage of the conference here. 

Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference

Register now for the Free State Foundation's Third Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference -- Friday, February 4, 2011, at the National Press Club. The agenda is available here. An outstanding lineup of speakers will discuss and debate hot-button communications policy issues, including net neutrality, and broadband and spectrum policy. FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker will deliver the opening keynote address, and FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell will participate in a lunchtime conversation.

 2010:

Looking Forward: Will Congress Establish Broadband Policy?

The video from the Free State Foundation's October 12, 2010, seminar entitled, "Looking Forward: Will Congress Establish Broadband Policy?", is now available here. The seminar featured top congressional staff members from both parties and from both the House of Representatives and the Senate Commerce Committees discussing broadband policy and net neutrality, spectrum policy, universal reform, and other communications policy issues. 

On Tuesday, October 12, 2010, join Free State Foundation for lunch and a discussion considering all the angles of Congress's various ideas for legislation clarifying the FCC's authority to regulate broadband Internet service providers. The program will be from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Washington, D.C. in the Congressional Meeting Room North. Featured speakers include: Neil Fried, Senior Counsel, House Energy and Commerce Committee; David Quinalty, Professional Staff Member, Senate Commerce Committee; Daniel Sepulveda, Senior Advisor, Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet; and Bruce Wolpe, Senior Advisor, House Energy and Commerce Committee. All of the event's details are available here.

After Comcast: What Now for Net Neutrality?

The video from the program is now available here.

On Tuesday, June 1, 2010, the Free State Foundation and the Information Technology and Information are jointly presenting a program, "After Comcast: What's Net for Net Neutrality?" The program will be from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM at ITIF's offices located 1101 K Street, Nw, Suite 610, Washington, DC. Featured speakers include: Richard Bennett, Research Fellow, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation;   James Cicconi, Senior Executive Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T;   Eric Klinker, Chief Executive Officer, BitTorrent;   Randolph May, President, Free State Foundation;  James Speta, Professor, Northwestern University School of Law; and  Steven Teplitz, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Time Warner Cable. All the event details are here.

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The FCC's "Future of Media" Inquiry: What Is the FCC Doing - And Why?

This April 16, 2010 event at noon at the National Press Club will feature the FCC's Steven Waldman, who is leading the FCC's inquiry. Other speakers include James Taranto, the editor of the Wall Street Journal's OpinionJournal.com; Donna Gregg, FSF Adjunct Senior Fellow and former chief of the FCC's Media Bureau; and Deborah Taylor Tate, FSF Distinguished Adjunct Senior Fellow and former FCC Commissioner. All of the details are here. The video from FSF's "Future of Media" program held on April 16, 2010, at the National Press Club is now available here.

The Free State Foundation's Annual Winter Telecom Conference Video

The video from FSF's Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference held on January 29, 2010, at the National Press Club are now available. The links to the various sessions are below:

Welcome and Introduction by Free State Foundation President Randolph J. May and Opening Keynote Address by FCC Commissioner Robert M. McDowell - Click here.

Panel 1: "The FCC's Broadband Plan: The Good, The Bad, and the Just So-So?" - Click here. This panel features: Stuart Benjamin, FCC; Jeffrey Campbell, Cisco; Steven Davis, Qwest; Steve Largent, CTIA, Thomas Power, NTIA; Paul de Sa, FCC; and Joe Waz, Comcast.

Panel 2: "Net Neutrality Regulation: Why Now - Or Ever?" - Click here. This panel features: Robert Atkinson, ITIF; Rick Whitt, Google; Kyle McSlarrow, NCTA; Howard Shelanski, FTC; Tom Tauke, Verizon; and Christopher Yoo, University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Luncheon Program: "Conversation on FCC's Policies and Processes," with FCC Chief of Staff Edward Lazarus and Free State Foundation President Randolph May - Click here.

A PDF version of the conference agenda is here.

On January 29, 2010, the Free State Foundation will hold the Second Annual Winter Telecom Policy Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC from 9 AM to 2 PM. The conference speaker line-up and registration details are here. The conference agenda is here.

2009:

Free State Foundation Distinguished Adjunct Senior Fellow Deborah Taylor Tate will moderate a program on cybersecurity at the ITU Telecom World 2009 conference in Geneva. The program, entitled, "Managing Digital Identity: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly," is on October 6, 2009. More information about the program is here.

On September 10, 2009, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon, the Free State Foundation will hold an event at the National Press Club to celebrate the release of its new book, "New Directions in Communications Policy." Keynote speakers are Meredith Attwell Baker, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission, and Blair Levin, Executive Director of the FCC's Omnibus Broadband Initiative. Other speakers include Professors James Speta, Christopher Yoo, and John Mayo, all nationally known experts in telecommunications law and policy. Cleck here for program and registration information and here for the agenda.  

FSF President Randolph J. May participates as a speaker in a program titled, "Agencies of Change: Exploring Institutional Reform at the FCC and FERC," at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Chicago. The program is on July 31, 2008, from 8:30 - 10:00 AM. Details are here.

The Free State Foundation will hold a lunch seminar on June 5, 2009, from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm entitled, "Broadband Nation: Where Does the U.S. Really Stand in the World Rankings?"  The seminar will be held in Congressional Meeting Room North at the new Capitol Visitor Center.  A complimentary lunch will be provided.  Ambassador David A. Gross, former U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy at the U.S. Department of State, will address the progress of the U.S. concerning broadband deployment and usage and explain why the oft-cited OECD rankings do not accurately depict the true position of the U.S. vis-a-vis other countries.  After his remarks, there will be reactions and comments by the panelists: Robert Atkinson, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, Link Hoewing, Verizon Communications, and Christopher Guttman-McCabe, CTIA - The Wireless Association.  For more details and to register, click here.  The current agenda can be found here. 

The Free State Foundation is sponsoring a conference on February 26, 2009, from 8:45 am - 4:15 pm entitled, "New Directions in Communications Policy."  The conference will be held on the 13th floor of the National Press Club.  A complimentary lunch will be provided.  Representative Marsha Blackburn of the House Commerce Committee will deliver an opening keynote address.  Blair Levin, Managing Director of Stifel Nicolaus and Obama Transition Team Leader, will be the featured luncheon speaker. Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell, former FCC Chairman Richard Wiley, and former FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate will moderate the three panels examining several hot-topic issues confronting policymakers, including broadband policy, network neutrality, universal service, media regulation, FCC institutional reform, and the Obama Administration's coordination of technology policy.  For more details and to register, click here.  The current agenda can be found here.

2008:

The Free State Foundation is sponsoring a seminar on October 24, 2008, from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm entitled, "Archaic Intercarrier Compensation and Universal Service Regimes: Proposals for Reform," featuring Gerald Brock, Professor of Telecommunication and of Public Policy and Public Administration at the George Washington University and John Mayo, Professor of Economics, Business and Public Policy and Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate will deliver Introductory Remarks. The seminar will be held in Room 2322, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. A complimentary lunch will be provided. For more details and to register, click here. Professor Brock's Powerpoint slides are here and Professor Mayo's are here.

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The Free State Foundation is sponsoring a seminar on September 26, 2008, from 11:45 AM - 1:45 pm entitled, "Delivering Media Content in a New Technological Environment: An Exploration of Policy Implications," featuring Steven S. Wildman, James H. Quello Chair of Telecommunication Studies and Co-Director of the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law at Michigan State University, and FCC Commissioner Robert M. McDowell.

The seminar will be held at the National Academy of Public Administration, 900 7th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC. A complimentary lunch will be provided. For more details and to register, click here.

2007:

The Free State Foundation and the Institute for Policy Innovation are co-sponsoring a conference--"The Federal Unbundling Commission?"--on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, on Capitol Hill. The conference will explore whether proposed or adopted regulations requiring broadband service operators to unbundle their networks, content, and applications constitute sound communications policies. Senator Jim DeMint and Representative Marsha Blackburn, both members of the Commerce committees with jurisdiction over the Federal Communications Commission, will deliver keynote addresses at the October 30 conference. Sen. DeMint and Rep. Blackburn are two of the nation's most articulate and knowledgeable advocates of market-oriented communications policy reform. Senator DeMint will deliver the opening keynote and Representative Blackburn will deliver the luncheon address. FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate will introduce Rep. Blackburn and deliver brief remarks. The event will feature many notable public policymakers, scholars, and industry experts. For more details and registration information, click here. The entire program booklet with the agenda and speaker bios is here.  

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Free State Foundation President Randolph J. May will debate Christopher Libertelli, Senior Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs, North America, Skype Limited, at the Fourth Annual Conference on Spectrum Management sponsored by Law Seminars International on Tuesday, September 18. The topic: "The Debate over Net Neutrality and Its Potential Impact on Spectrum Policy." The debate takes place at 1:30 PM at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. 

On August 1, 2007, at noon, FSF President Randolph J. May will speak to the Baltimore Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society. The topic is "The Future of Internet Regulation: Will Free Speech and Property Rights Prevail?" The event details are here.

Free State Foundation President Randolph J. May participates in the KMB Video Journal Conference on "Building the Next Generation Broadband Networks: What Are the Issues?" On May 8, 2007, Mr. May is speaking on the topic, "State Versus Interstate Issues Regarding Broadband Policy: What Has Been Preempted and Why." 

On April 30, 2007, Randolph J. May, Free State Foundation President, will be a witness at a hearing convened by the New York City Council Committee on Technology in Government to consider net neutrality. Click here for his testimony.