Keep Rural Broadband Front and Center
As the nation continues to adapt business practices in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, NTCA is committed to keeping you connected to the latest information from Washington. Our industry has been hit with many challenges and barriers in the past, but it’s important that we continue to stand strong for the communities you serve.
The annual NTCA Legislative + Policy Conference will be held this year in a virtual format. Hear from policymakers and legislators regarding efforts to continue supporting rural network deployments that are now more critical than ever all from the comfort of your home or office.
Join us on April 21, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. ET for this online event to get access to the same deep discussions on policy, legislation and politics you have come to expect from this conference over the years.
Attending this virtual conference earns you one P101 credit toward your NTCA certificate.
Learn more about NTCA certificate programs.
AGENDA
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TUESDAY, APRIL 21
- 10:00 a.m.–10:15 a.m. | Welcome
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Shirley Bloomfield, CEO, NTCA
NTCA’s CEO offers a conference preview and the latest on the association’s efforts to represent rural carriers in Washington.
- 10:15 a.m.–10:45 a.m. | FCC Commissioner Address
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Geoffrey Starks, Commissioner, FCC
- 10:45 a.m.–11:15 a.m. | FCC Advisors Q&A
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Austin Bonner, Wireline Advisor to Commissioner Starks, FCC
Preston Wise, Rural Broadband Advisor to Chairman Pai, FCC
Michael Romano, Sr. Vice President of Industry Affairs and Business Development, NTCANTCA’s Michael Romano and senior FCC staff discuss the latest developments on the agency’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and other relevant proceedings, as well as plans for the remainder of the year.
- 11:15 a.m.–Noon | Congressional Staff Panel
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John Lin, Counsel, Senate Commerce Majority
Evan Viau, Professional Staff Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee Minority
Jennifer Epperson, House Energy and Commerce Committee Majority
Molly O'Leary, Director of Government Affairs, NTCANTCA’s Molly O’Leary moderates a lively discussion among senior congressional staff regarding commerce committee efforts on rural broadband deployment (including RDOF and USF contribution reform), consumer data privacy and other telecom issues, and the congressional response to the COVID-19 crisis.
- Noon–12:30 p.m. | BREAK
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Take a relaxing break from the screen to check on your lunch delivery or fix a quick bite to eat, take a few steps around the block or get up and stretch, or check emails and make a few calls.
- 12:30 p.m.–1:15 p.m. | Election 2020 Analysis
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Ian Swanson, Managing Editor, The Hill
Ian Swanson, a seasoned observer and reporter of Capitol Hill and election news, discusses the 2020 federal elections from the presidential race to what it will take for the political parties to flip control of either the House or the Senate.
- 1:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m. | Wrap-Up/Advocacy Overview
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NTCA Staff
NTCA government affairs staff explains current advocacy efforts on the Hill and offers pointers on how NTCA members should engage in their own advocacy to keep rural broadband deployment at the top of the agenda for decisionmakers in Washington.
A Special Recorded Message
Several rural leaders in Congress have prepared messages for conference attendees that will be played throughout the program, including remarks from Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Reps. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)
SPEAKER LINEUP
Austin Bonner Wireline Advisor to Commissioner Stark FCC |
Shirley Bloomfield CEO NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association |
Jennifer Epperson Counsel House Energy and Commerce Committee Majority |
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John Lin Counsel Senate Commerce Majority |
Roger Marshall U.S. Congressman Kansas, 1st District |
Molly O'Leary Director of Government Affairs NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association |
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Michael Romano Sr. Vice President of Industry Affairs and Business Development NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association |
Geoffrey Starks Commissioner FCC |
Ian Swanson Managing Editor The Hill |
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John Thune U.S. Senator South Dakota |
Evan Viau Professional Staff Member House Energy and Commerce Committee Minority |
Preston Wise Rural Broadband Advisor to Chairman Pai FCC |
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Todd Young U.S. Senator Indiana |