ComSoC SCV Monthly Meeting

Date:          Wen. March 10th, 2010 6:00 - 8:00PM
Location:   National Semiconductor, Building E, Conference Room, 2900 Semiconductor Dr, Santa Clara, CA 95051

Title:          Effects of Broadband Policy and Network Neutrality on Innovation at the Edge and in the Cloud
Speaker:   William B. Wilhelm, Jr. of  Bingham McCutchen LLP

Program

6:00 - 6:30pm      Snack and Drink
6:30 - 6:40pm      Opening Remarks
6:40 - 7:30pm      Presentation
7:30 - 7:50pm      Q&A
8:00pm                  Adjourn
RSVP:                    comsocscv@gmail.com

Biography:
 
Bill Wilhelm, Partner at Bingham McCutchen LLP, advises technology companies on policy, state and federal regulation and commercial transactions and disputes related to the development and deployment of new communications applications, voice and video services, digital media, and broadband wireless and wireline networks. Bill's clients frequently offer products and services that leverage unique intellectual property, computer technology or broadband networks. His advice is often sought regarding new or novel legal issues related to technology.

Bill's clients include leading technology innovators, venture-backed start-ups and established Fortune 500 companies. He advises domestic and international telecommunications companies, IP telephony and video providers, financial institutions, online exchanges, Internet service providers, insurance companies, equipment manufacturers, software developers, e-mail and Internet marketing companies, broadband and wireless companies as well as film and Internet content distribution companies. Bill is a frequent speaker at industry events and has written hundreds of articles on telecommunications policy.

   
Abstract:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is prepared to issue a report to Congress on March 17th regarding a national broadband plan. This presentation will provide perspective on the key policy objectives that the Plan will address and provide an overview of the ongoing FCC proceeding on broadband network neutrality. The speaker will assess the collective impact of the Plan and the network neutrality rules on future innovation and investment in communications networks.

Several aspects of the FCC's Broadband Plan should be of keen interest to ComSocSCV meeting attendees, including a plan to enable the construction and operation of an interoperable nationwide broadband wireless public safety network-an idea that was part of the 700 MHz spectrum auction in 2008 but did not garner sufficient commercial support. The FCC has said that part of that nationwide wireless network would also be available to utilities to support smart grid initiatives, but on a lower priority basis. Team members working on the broadband plan said the FCC also would recommend investigating the "reliability and resiliency of commercial networks as part of a smart grid." Another component of the FCC plan will be to transition to next-generation 911 networks by "fully embracing broadband technologies."