Michael Calabrese: All Publications, Events and Press

Consumer Groups Seek Clarity from FCC on Open Internet Rulemaking

Erin Drankoski — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:42:00 -0500

Washington, D.C. -- Today, four consumer and public interest groups sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission seeking clarity regarding Net Neutrality. In the letter, the groups express strong concern with a statement made last week by a senior commission official that the FCC would allow the speeding up or slowing down of applications like video or voice as part of "reasonable network management" -- a sentiment that appears to prejudge the outcome before the FCC completes its rulemaking process.

Consumer Groups Seek Clarity from FCC on Open Internet Rulemaking

OTI — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:25:00 -0500

Chairman Julius Genachowski
Federal Communications Commission
445 Twelfth Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

November 9, 2009

Dear Chairman Genachowski,

PISC Reply Comments on Wireless Innovation

Wireless Future — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:07:00 -0500

On behalf of the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition, we are pleased to submit these reply comments regarding the Commission's Notice of Inquiry on Fostering Innovation and Investment in the Wireless Communications Market.^[1] As the Commission noted, the market for wireless broadband services has been evolving at an extraordinarily rapid pace and is delivering new and empowering technologies to American

Mobile Data Demand and the Need for Increased Spectrum Access

Wireless Future — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:18:00 -0400

There is no doubt that consumer demand for mobile data applications is exploding worldwide. As Smartphones with PC capabilities and broadband aircards gain access to faster 4G networks beginning next year, total wireless data consumption will increase geometrically. Cisco’s annual projection of global Internet traffic predicts a 129% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for mobile data over the next five years in North America (through 2013).

Meeting consumer demand for mobile data will require some combination of four strategies:

Broadband Competition Policy

Kirsten Gilbert — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
09/25/2009 - 12:30pm

As the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) continues to gather input into the National Broadband Plan it will report back to Congress in February, competition policy remains among the most contentious issues. In addition, the Chairman on Monday announced his intention to codify the FCC's existing four open Internet principles, along with two additional principles to prohibit discrimination against particular Internet applications and content and ensure that providers are transparent about network management practices.

Report of the US Broadband Coalition on a National Broadband Strategy

Kirsten Gilbert — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:30:00 -0400

A New America Event
09/24/2009 - 9:00am

On September 24, the US Broadband Coalition - a broad and diverse array of 160 organizations - will issue a report that identifies the key issues and a range of policy options that the U.S. should consider in determining its broadband future. The report is especially relevant and timely because the Federal Communications Commission must submit a national broadband plan to Congress by February 2010. The report builds on the Coalition's December 2008 "Call to Action for a National Broadband Plan" that not only provided a policy framework… more

White Spaces on Steroids and Free Spectrum for Everyone | Ars Technica

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:36:00 -0400

As New America's Michael Calabrese puts it, "the vast majority of frequency bands are not being used in most locations and at most times."

The End of Spectrum ‘Scarcity'

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:06:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/25/2009 - 12:15pm

As the FCC begins its year-long process to recommend a National Broadband Plan, one starting point is to unlock publicly-owned assets that can facilitate ubiquitous, affordable broadband access. Wireless spectrum remains the most cost-effective and rapid means to deliver broadband access to rural and unserved urban residents. But as mobile broadband use continues to increase exponentially, demand for spectrum will rapidly outpace availability under current spectrum management policies.

The End of Spectrum ‘Scarcity’

Wireless Future — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:50:00 -0400

Wireless is the most cost-effective and rapid means to bring broadband access to under-served rural and urban residents. Even after high-capacity Internet access becomes universal, wireless remains as the complementary infrastructure needed to achieve the larger goal of pervasive connectivity. Within a few short years, most Americans are likely to spend more hours each week on mobile than on wired Internet connections. Demand for spectrum will outpace availability under current spectrum man-management policies. Meanwhile, in every community across the country, large swaths of valuable spectrum lie fallow the majority of the time. This underutilized spectrum represents enormous, untapped, public capacity for high-speed and pervasive broadband connectivity. Therefore it is vital to a national broadband plan to consider policies that will encourage more intensive and efficient use of the nation’s spectrum resources.

Washington Weighs Wireless Regulation | BusinessWeek

Cecille Isidro — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:19:00 -0400

"We view handset exclusivity as one part of a much larger problem of the growing power of service providers," says Michael Calabrese, vice-president of think tank New America Foundation. During the proceedings, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass. ...

Switch Digital TV Will Benefit You Plenty, FCC Says | Los Angeles Times

Cecille Isidro — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:43:00 -0400

It takes fewer airwaves to transmit a digital signal than it does an analog one, which means companies can use the reclaimed airwaves to enhance the way we communicate, said Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at the New ...

Comments on a National Broadband Plan

Wireless Future — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:11:00 -0400

In developing a national broadband plan to move the U.S. ahead in the 21^st century Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has an unprecedented opportunity to put in place polices that can both bring essential high-speed connectivity to those with limited or no access, and serve as the foundation for long-term broadband and technological innovation. It is critical that a forward-looking national broadband plan focus on the underlying infrastructures necessary to spur ubiquitous high-speed broadband. Public investment in fiber

Opposition to Petitions for Reconsideration Re: Unlicensed Operation in TV White Space

Wireless Future — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:50:00 -0400

On behalf of the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) and the Champaign Urbana Wireless Network ("Petitioners"), the New America Foundation and Public Knowledge respectfully submit the following Opposition to Petitions for Reconsideration of the Commission's TV band white space rules. We oppose the Petitions by incumbent spectrum users, both authorized and unauthorized, to revisit the Order's central balance between protecting licensed incumbent services and opening this "vast wasteland" of underutilized spectrum on a

Comments of The Public Interest Spectrum Coalition on BTOP Grant Criteria

Wireless Future — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:53:00 -0400

Executive Summary

Recommendations to Commission's Rural Broadband Strategy

Wireless Future — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:48:00 -0400

March 25, 2009

Via Electronic Mail

Marlene H. Dortch
Office of the Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

Re: Rural Broadband Strategy (GN Docket No. 09-29)

Dear Ms. Dortch:

Petition for Reconsideration Re: Unlicensed Operation in TV White Space

Wireless Future — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:40:00 -0400

Before the
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20554

In the Matter of

Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands
ET Docket No. 04-186

Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices
Below 900 MHZ and in the 3 GHz Band
ET Docket No. 02-380

The Wireless Future of Health IT

Stephanie Gunter — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:30:00 -0400

A New America Event
03/23/2009 - 9:00am

This luncheon event is co-sponsored by the Wireless Future and Health Policy Programs of the New America Foundation and CTIA-The Wireless Association.

Setting the iPhone Free from AT&T | BusinessWeek

Cecille Isidro — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:16:00 -0500

"It is unthinkable that you could only use a Macintosh on an AT&T connection," says Michael Calabrese, vice-president at the New America Foundation, which is chaired by Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt. Google (GOOG) has helped develop phone ...

Viral Spiral

Stephanie Gunter — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:45:00 -0500

A New America Event
02/20/2009 - 12:15pm

Viral Spiral is the term David Bollier coins to describe the almost magical process by which Internet users can come together to build online commons and tools. From free and open-source software, Creative Commons licenses, Wikipedia, remix music and video mashups to peer production, open science, open education, and open business - the world of digital media has spawned a new "sharing economy" that increasingly competes with entrenched media giants.

Google, Partners Release Net Neutrality Tools | CIO Magazine

Cecille Isidro — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:41:00 -0500

The set of tools will allow broadband customers to measure their providers' performance, said Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at ...