(For this past program, we offer two options for purchase: a Homestudy (DVD and written materials) or written materials alone.)
Wireline and wireless carriers, Internet access providers, rural telephone companies and other service providers, federal and state officials, municipalities, attorneys, consultants and other telecommunications industry professionals
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, otherwise known as the "stimulus package". The legislation will infuse $787 billion into the struggling U.S. economy, $7.2 billion of which will be spent on broadband infrastructure. The package's broadband stimuli, known as the "Broadband Technology Opportunities Program", are intended to expand broadband access capabilities throughout the country (including rural and other unserved areas).
The $7.2 billion will be distributed through two different federal agencies: $4.7 billion by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and $2.5 billion by the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS). The program is on a fast track, with these amounts to be spent by September, 2010.
The broadband stimulus package presents an opportunity for telecommunications industry participants, both in the private and public sector, to use federal funding to expand their broadband wireline and wireless capabilities. But given Congress' short deadline for funding distribution, there will be little time for the FCC or other regulators to prescribe how this will be done.
Given these fast moving developments, Law Seminars International is offering a one-hour TeleBriefing to provide an overview of the broadband stimulus package, along with a nuts and bolts discussion on how to participate in the broadband funding distribution. Among the discussion topics will be an overview of the broadband stimulus program, the roles and procedures of NTIA and RUS (along with the FCC and state governments), possible conditions (such as net neutrality or open access), eligibility requirements, funding and broadband service restrictions, and other topics that participants will need to know.
The program is a must for wireline and wireless carriers, Internet access providers, rural telephone companies and other service providers, federal and state officials, municipalities, attorneys, consultants and other telecommunications industry professionals.
Walt Sapronov, Esq., Moderator
Sapronov & Associates, P.C. / Atlanta, GA
Overview of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
Russell P. Hanser, Esq.
Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP / Washington, DC
States and agencies' issues
David N. Baker, Esq.
Sapronov & Associates, P.C. / Atlanta, GA
The Broadband Stimulus Program: What should you do? What should you expect?
Jonathan Jacob Nadler, Esq.
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP / Washington, DC
There is a $25 cancellation fee for Course Materials orders and $50 for Homestudy orders
This TeleBriefing qualifies for 1.0 Washington CLE credit. Upon request, we will apply for CLE credits in other states and other types of credits.
You may download the entire TeleBriefing for $125 or obtain a CD for $135. Both options include the written materials.
Order Homestudy
Walt Sapronov, Moderator, partner at Sapronov & Associates, P.C., represents enterprise, service provider and other clients in telecommunications and broadband transactions and regulation. He is named in the "International Who's Who of Telecom Lawyers".
David N. Baker, of counsel at Sapronov & Associates, P.C. and Managing Director of Sapronov & Butler Government Affairs, focuses on Internet, communications and technology interests before federal, state and local legislators, regulators and courts. Previously he was Commissioner and Chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission and served on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. He also was Vice President of Law and Public Policy with EarthLink, Inc., where he led government and regulatory affairs.
Russ Hanser, partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP, focuses on regulatory issues affecting next-generation broadband networks relying on wireline, wireless, and cable-based platforms. Previously he was an attorney at the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau, served as Special Counsel to the General Counsel and as Acting Legal Advisor to Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy. In these positions, Russ played a key role in the development of the Commission's approach to competition policy, broadband deployment, and the regulation of IP-enabled services.
Jonathan Jacob Nadler, partner in the Washington, DC office of Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP, represents government regulatory authorities, as well as providers and users of broadband telecommunications and information services, in the United States and abroad.
