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06/12/2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 12, 2007 — Is U.S. broadband adoption keeping pace with other countries? How can American legislators, regulators and citizens better track broadband policy? What data do policy-makers need to make crucial broadband policy decisions? Experts from industry, journalism, think tanks and interest groups will convene to discuss these and other questions at a June 28th forum co-hosted by the Center for Public Integrity and The Progress & Freedom Foundation.

As high-speed Internet access becomes an increasingly critical part of the economy and daily life, broadband has grown into a crucial public policy issue. At this open public forum, held at the National Academies of Sciences, policy makers, broadband providers, consumers, advocacy organizations, the media and public will hear vital, practical information on this often-technical subject.

"The data currently available may not be the most useful information for making effective broadband policy decisions," said Scott Wallsten, senior fellow and director of communications policy studies at The Progress & Freedom Foundation. "Empirical analysis is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of any policy and good data are the key to rigorous analysis."

"In the telecom world, everyone is talking about how mapping Internet penetration can help the U.S. bring broadband to more citizens," said Drew Clark, senior fellow and project manager for the Center. "Our organization provides free information about the companies offering broadcast TV, radio and cable by ZIP code. We want to do the same for broadband."

This conference on broadband statistics comes as Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are considering greater detail in broadband data collection; public-private initiatives, such as ConnectKentucky, are helping spur technological transformation; and a Center lawsuit seeks to obtain the names of broadband providers from the FCC.

The conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon and feature topics and experts across the broadband spectrum:

Panel I: "What Do We Know About Availability and Use of Broadband in the United States?" Moderated by Drew Clark, with panelists:

    • Joseph Waz, Vice President, External Affairs and Public Policy, Comcast
    • Derek Turner, Research Director, Free Press
    • Robert Atkinson, President, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation
    • John Horrigan, Associate Director, Research, Pew Internet & American Life Project
    • Kenneth Flamm, Dean Rusk Chair on International Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
    • Dennis Weller, Chief Economist, Verizon Communications

Panel II: "What Kinds of Broadband Data Collection Policies Should the U.S. Employ?" Moderated by Scott Wallsten, with panelists:

    • Beth Shiroishi, Senior Director, Regulatory Policy & Planning, AT&T
    • Mark Lloyd, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
    • Drew Clark, Senior Fellow and Project Manager, Center for Public Integrity
    • Laura Taylor, Vice President, Research, ConnectKentucky
    • Clair Kaye, Treasurer, Cumberland Internet Inc.
    • Colin Crowell (invited), Professional Staff Member, Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass.

Contact: Steve Carpinelli, Center for Public Integrity, (202) 481-1225

Brooke Glass, The Progress & Freedom Foundation, (202) 969-2952

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Conference on Broadband Statistics

Thursday, June 28, 2007

9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

National Academies of Sciences

2100 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

FREE and open to the public

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