NCTA's Michael Powell To Testify on Broadband Access

By John Eggerton
published

Slated to join USTelecom's Jonathan Spalter at Senate Communications hearing

Michael Powell, president and CEO of National Cable & Telecommunications Association speaks onstage at the 33rd Annual Kaitz Foundation Fundraising Dinner at Marriott Marquis Hotel on September 21, 2016 in New York City.
Michael Powell (Image credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Walter Kaitz)

Michael Powell, president of NCTA-The Internet & Television Association and former Federal Communications Commission chair, will testify December 13 at a Senate Communications Subcommittee hearing on "Ensuring Solutions to Meet America's Broadband Needs."

The hearing is being convened by Communications Subcommittee Chair Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).

The hearing will look at the general availability of broadband and the effort to close the broadband accessibility gap, with a focus on rural, tribal and low-income areas.

Also testifying will be Jonathan Spalter, president of USTelecom, Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, and Kimball Sekaquaptewa, chair of Connect New Mexico Council.

"This hearing will examine ongoing and past efforts within the public and private sectors to bring affordable, resilient and secure broadband to all communities," Luján's office said. ■

John Eggerton
John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.