National Regulatory Framework Key Policy Issue at CTIA Show
LOS ANGELES - CTIA’s policy focus will be limited, but there will be familiar themes at the group’s convention here this week, according to several officials. Unified wireless policy generally, and specifically recent language in a Senate bill that would let the federal govt. preempt states on most telecom regulatory issues, will be the main policy issue CTIA hopes to raise at the meeting. An official said the meeting’s timing made it “almost impossible” to get lawmakers to attend, but stressed the need for member “education” on big issues.
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Policy issues are best flushed out by showing off new technology, said a CTIA spokesman who organized the exhibitors on the show floor. Members can say “we have this incredible device” that can get high speed broadband, telephony and other features into Americans’ hands, he said. This makes obvious the implications of a national regulatory framework, he said, because “innovation relies on this kind of policy… At the end of the day this is a trade show… bells and whistles, and your best stuff.”
There will be plenty of policy on the menu, Dane Snowden, CTIA vp-external & state affairs, said. Panels on spectrum, especially AWS auction results, will be particularly important in formulating CTIA positions, he said. Snowden acknowledged there will be scant congressional presence this year, mostly due to timing; with legislative days scarce before elections, no one on the Hill wants to miss what could be key votes, he said. There will be a good FCC presence, he said, including several top legal advisors.
Wed.’s E-911 Summit will focus on implementation issues facing first responders and technology challenges in that sector, featuring key players in various debates. The summit will be presented by the E-911 Institute, long an advocate for govt. implementation policy reform.
The CTIA roster won’t replace Len Lauer, who recently left Sprint amid rumors of a dispute over technology direction. Lauer was to deliver a co-keynote address with CTIA Pres. Steve Largent. Largent will “probably just speak a couple minutes longer,” the spokesman said.