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 MEDIA CONTACT:
September 16, 2009 Mark Wigfield
(202) 418-0253 
FCC ANNOUNCES INITIAL BROADBAND FIELD HEARINGS 
Visits are Part of Outreach for Development of National Broadband Plan
In an effort to solicit input from the public in the development of a National Broadband Plan, the 
FCC announced today the dates and sites for initial field hearings.  The Commission will host 
field hearings on September 21, 2009, in Austin, Texas; October 1, 2009, in the Washington, 
D.C. area; and October 6, 2009 in Charleston, South Carolina.  Details on the latter two field 
hearings, as well as dates and locations for additional field hearings, will be announced later.
FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker will represent the Commission at the initial field 
hearing in Austin, Texas next Monday.  Two panels will explore the challenges of broadband 
deployment in Texas, including spectrum access, infrastructure, and rural issues. 
WHO: FCC Commissioner Meredith Atwell Baker
WHAT: Public Field Hearing, National Broadband Plan
WHEN: Monday September 21, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
WHERE: Texas University Club
2108 Robert Dedman Drive
Austin, TX  78712
The FCC is convening field hearings this fall to promote an open dialogue between the FCC and 
the public on development of a 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.
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a 
description of the accommodation you will need with as much detail as possible. Also include a 
way we can contact you if we need more information. Please provide as much advance notice as 
possible; last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to 
fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 
202-418-0432 (TTY).
-FCC-
News about the Federal Communications Commission’s development of the National 
Broadband can be found at http://www.broadband.gov/news.html