Congressional Hearings
July 12, 2016–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
Federal Communications Commission Oversight. Energy and Commerce, Communications and Technology Subcommittee. FCC commissioners testified at an oversight hearing on Federal Communications Commission operations. They discussed a range of issues such as consumer privacy rules pertaining to broadband Internet service providers; alleged waste, fraud and abuse in the agency’s program to assist low-income consumers; and a proposal to use high-frequency airwaves for next generation “5G” wireless technology services. They also discussed the FCC’s set-top box proposal to create an open platform and allow consumers to purchase their own devices rather than renting them from cable providers.
March 22, 2016–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
Federal Communications Commission Oversight. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Tom Wheeler and others testified at an oversight hearing on the agency’s operations. Topics included the FCC spectrum auction and changes to television set-top boxes.
March 2, 2016–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
Federal Communications Commission Oversight. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. All of the commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) testified at an oversight hearing on their agency’s operations. The spectrum auction and broadband development and access in rural areas were among the topics they answered questions on.
November 17, 2015–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Transcript. Details.
July 29, 2015–Congressional hearing on wireless broadband policy
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, S. Hrg. 114-169, July 29, 2015. Transcript.
March 19, 2015–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
Federal Communications Commission Oversight Hearing. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. The commissioners testified at a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversight hearing about operations and budget. The focus was on their recent open Internet vote classifying the Internet as a common carrier, like telephone services. In a 3-2 vote, rules were passed designed to ensure “net neutrality” by prohibiting Internet service providers from blocking or discriminating against legal content moving through their networks. Issues included their transparency in the deliberative process on policy matters. Other topics included rural broadband and Wi-Fi access.
March 18, 2015–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
Federal Communications Commission Oversight Hearing. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The commissioners testified at a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversight hearing about operations and budget. The focus was on their recent open Internet vote classifying the Internet as a common carrier, like telephone services. In a 3-2 vote, rules were passed designed to ensure “net neutrality” by prohibiting Internet service providers from blocking or discriminating against legal content moving through their networks. Transcript.
May 20, 2014–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Transcript. Details.
December 12, 2013–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
Federal Communications Commission Oversight. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) testified on the agency’s goals. Much of the hearing was about the agency’s upcoming spectrum auction, as well as the e-rate. Other issues included 911 service reform related to a new rule for wireless phone calls made from a home. Under current rules if someone calls from a wireless phone in the home, the police do not have to accurately locate that call. Transcript. Details.
December 10, 2013–Congressional hearing on Broadcast TV Spectrum Auction
Broadcast TV Spectrum Auction. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Witnesses testified on the complexities surrounding implementation of the voluntary incentive auction of broadcast television spectrum, which is being conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). FCC Chair Tom Wheeler announced plans to push the broadcast spectrum auction back by six months to mid-2015. Transcript. Witness and member statements.
–Congressional hearing on “Oversight of Incentive Auction Implementation”
Federal Communications Commission Spectrum Auction. Hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Telecommunications officials from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), private industry, and consumer protection organizations testified on the FCC’s implementation of its auction to free up spectrum for growing broadband and mobile use. Transcript. NAB Comments.
March 12, 2013–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
Federal Communications Commission Oversight. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commissioners testified at an oversight hearing of their agency. Chair Genachowski announced the approval of the T-Mobile and MetroPCS agreement. In addition, he said the commission was in the process of implementing the nationwide public safety network law and was on track to run the world’s first incentive auction for freeing up spectrum. Other topics included broadband access, media ownership requirements, and broadcasting rules regarding political advertisements. Transcript.
December 12, 2012–Congressional hearing on Broadcast TV Spectrum Auction
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Witnesses testified on “Keeping the New Broadband Spectrum Law on Track.” Transcript. Details.
July 10, 2012–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
Federal Communications Commission Oversight. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Commissioners testified about Federal Communications Commission (FCC) operations focusing on current proceedings before the FCC, the commission’s regulatory process, and progress in implementing congressional priorities. Among the topics they addressed were the spectrum incentive auction and Verizon’s bid to pay $3.9 billion to cable operators Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox and Bright House for advanced wireless spectrum. This was the first hearing with new commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai. Transcript. Details.
May 16, 2012–Congressional hearing on FCC oversight
Federal Communications Commission Oversight. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commissioners testified at an oversight hearing of their agency. Topics included the upcoming broadband spectrum auction, network neutrality, and reforming the universal service fund. Transcript. Details.
June 1, 2011–Congressional hearing on “promoting broadband, jobs and economic growth through commercial spectrum auctions”
Promoting broadband, jobs, and economic growth through commercial spectrum auctions. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, first session, June 1, 2011. Transcript. YouTube.
–Congressional hearing on National Broadband Plan
National Broadband Plan. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Julius Genachowski testified on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) national broadband plan, released by the commission on March 17, 2010. Since the release of the plan, a court decision put new legal limitation on FCC authority of internet and broadband services. Transcript. Details.
March 25, 2010–Congressional hearing on National Broadband Plan
National Broadband Plan Federal Communications Commission (FCC). House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet. Chair Julius Genachowski and other FCC members testified an an oversight hearing of the commission. The focused on proposals to expand broadband access and economic stimulus programs to broaden use of information technology and the Internet. Transcript. Details.
Congressional Reports
Public Safety and Spectrum Wireless Innovation Act, S. Rept. 112-260, December 21, 2012. Details.
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, H. Rept. 112-399, February 16, 2012. Details.