NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS CONTACT: September 4, 2009 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253 Email: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov CONSUMER ISSUES FOCUS OF NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN STAFF WORKSHOP FOR SEPTEMBER 9 Washington, D.C. – The challenges and opportunities faced by consumers as the Internet becomes a focal point for shopping, social networking, healthcare, and a host of other activities will be the focus on Wednesday, Sept. 9, of the Federal Communications Commission’s staff workshop for the development of a National Broadband Plan. These activities typically involve the sharing of information – financial and personal – with institutions and individuals that make online access worthwhile. This may raise concerns among some consumers about the real or perceived risks that their information may wind up in the wrong hands. Participants include officials from Facebook, Yahoo, Consumers Union, Georgetown University, and several think tanks. LOCATION: FCC Commission Meeting Room, 445 12th St. SW, Washington D.C. 20554. Those attending are asked to register in advance at http://www.broadband.gov/. Click on “Workshops” tab. ONLINE: Press and public attending online must register in advance at http://www.broadband.gov/. Click on “Workshops” tab. During the workshops, audience members -- both in the room and online -- will have the opportunity to suggest questions in writing. Questions will be reviewed and, time permitting, may be asked by the moderator. An ongoing series of staff workshops are being held to promote an open dialogue between the FCC and key constituents on matters important to the National Broadband Plan. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 directed the FCC to submit a National Broadband Plan to Congress by February 17, 2010 that addresses broadband deployment, adoption, affordability, and the use of broadband to advance solutions to national priorities, including health care, education, energy, public safety, job creation, investment, and others. Wednesday, September 9 BROADBAND CONSUMER CONTEXT 1:30 p.m. Government Participants: · John Horrigan, Consumer Research Director, Omnibus Broadband Initiative · Marc Berejka, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce · Robert Cannon, Senior Counsel for Internet Law, Federal Communications Commission · Michael Wroblewski, Deputy Director, Office of Policy Planning, Federal Trade Commission Panelists: · Michael R. Nelson, Visiting Professor, Communication, Culture and Technology, Georgetown University · Sascha Meinrath, Director, Open Technology Initiative, New America Foundation · Joel Kelsey, Policy Analyst, Consumers Union · Ari Schwartz, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Center for Democracy and Technology · Debra Berlyn, President, Consumer Policy Solutions · Adam Thierer, Director, Center for Digital Media Freedom and Senior Fellow, Progress and Freedom Foundation · Alan Simpson, Director of Policy, Common Sense Media · Burke Culligan, Senior Director, Product Management, Yahoo!, Inc. · Michael W. McKeehan, Executive Director, Internet and Technology Policy, Verizon · Timothy Sparapani, Director, Public Policy, Facebook -FCC- News about the Federal Communications Commission’s development of the National Broadband can be found at http://www.broadband.gov/news.html