Telecom Predictions for 2011
Per our annual tradition, the attorneys of Keller and Heckman offer the following predictions for what is sure to be a busy 2011 in the world of telecommunications. To see how we fared on our 2010 predictions, click here.
"Like last year, the FCC's focus this year will again be on Broadband, except now they've got to deal with a more skeptical Congress." -Jack Richards, Partner
"With the Net Neutrality decision adopted, the FCC will focus increasingly on spectrum and wireless issues." –Doug Jarrett, Partner
"I envision the FCC's chairman spending considerable time on Capitol Hill this year defending the FCC's net neutrality order and preparing for litigation challenging the agency's decision." –Mike Morrone, Partner
"Later this year we should see an Order in the Pole Attachment proceeding. Hopefully electric utilities will be able to convince the Commission to improve upon its initial, one-sided proposals that unduly favored attachers at the expense of utilities and their ratepayers." –Tom Magee, Partner (see Tom's quotes on this topic in today's Communications Daily, reprinted with the permission of Warren Communications News, Inc.)
"Look for those who can access capital or self-finance to meet regulatory requirements to influence the direction of the country's future communications debate." –David Reader, Partner
"With options for new spectrum beginning to dry up, look for the FCC to begin adopting increasingly creative ways to make more efficient use of existing spectrum resources, much as it started to do last year with its TV White Space decision and broadcaster "incentive auction" proposal." –Greg Kunkle, Partner
"We will see an increased focus on privacy and data security this year given the recent privacy reports issued by the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Commerce and new federal legislation on the horizon. This will affect all companies that collect, store, use, or share consumer information, whether online or offline." –Tracy Marshall, Partner
"With the FCC's first narrowbanding deadline of January 1, 2011 in the rearview mirror, look for the Commission to continue educating private licensees about the mandatory January 1, 2013 cutover to narrowband technology." –Wes Wright, Associate
"As the top floors of the FCC focus on wrangling Congress for approval of their big policies, 2011 may be a good year for private wireless licensees to make headway with the individual bureaus, which might be focusing more on day-to-day projects." –Matt DeTura, Associate
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