Emerging Technology
day one project

Restoring the Federal Communications Commission’s Legal Authority to Oversee the Broadband Market

10.14.20 | 1 min read | Text by Gigi Sohn

Summary

The next leadership team of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must prioritize restoring the agency’s authority to protect consumers and competition in the broadband market. Under the next administration, FCC leadership should quickly commence a proceeding proposing to reclassify broadband as a “telecommunications service” under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. This reclassification puts the FCC on the firmest legal ground to

  1. Restore or strengthen the 2015 network neutrality rules that prohibit providers of broadband Internet access from blocking, throttling, or otherwise discriminating against certain Internet traffic
  2. Fund broadband through the FCC’s four universal service programs
  3. Protect consumers from fraud and privacy violations
  4. Promote broadband competition, and
  5. Protect public safety.

FCC leadership should simultaneously work with Congress to develop legislation to codify this authority as law, thereby protecting against potential future reversals.

publications
See all publications
Emerging Technology
Blog
Innovation Ecosystem Job Board Launches to Connect Federal Talent to Opportunities

Innovation Ecosystem Job Board connects scientists, engineers, technologists, and skilled federal workers and contractors who have recently departed government service with the emerging innovation ecosystems across America.

09.19.25 | 3 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
In Honor of Patient Safety Day, Four Recommendations to Improve Healthcare Outcomes

Most patient safety challenges are not really captured and there are not enough tools to empower clinicians to improve. Here are four proposals for improving patient safety that are worthy of attention and action.

09.17.25 | 7 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
ASTRA: An American Space Transformation Regulatory Act

If space is there, and if we are going to climb it, then regulatory reform must be a challenge that we are willing to accept, something that we are unwilling to postpone, for a competition that we intend to win.

09.02.25 | 16 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
Blog
Creating A Vision and Setting Course for the Science and Technology Ecosystem of 2050

To better understand what might drive the way we live, learn, and work in 2050, we’re asking the community to share their expertise and thoughts about how key factors like research and development infrastructure and automation will shape the trajectory of the ecosystem.

08.06.25 | 4 min read
read more