FCC Official To Update Independent Cable On Key Issues
PITTSBURGH, February 27, 2015 – The American Cable Association is very pleased to announce that Gigi Sohn, Special Counsel for External Affairs to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, will address attendees of ACA’s Washington Summit on Wednesday, March 4, sharing her public policy insights at a critical moment for the independent cable community.
“ACA members greatly appreciate that Gigi Sohn, a recognized thought leader on Internet issues, will be on hand to express her ideas on the many key issues that ACA members care so deeply about. We’re honored that Ms. Sohn will be joining us at a time when everyone is looking for the best approach to ensure America is seen as the broadband connectivity capital of the world,” ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said.
Ms. Sohn will be addressing the ACA Summit just a few days after the FCC voted on Chairman Wheeler’s proposals to ensure an open Internet. Leading up to the vote, ACA has urged the FCC to apply only to smaller ISPs the FCC Chairman’s bright line rules – no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization – and use its forbearance authority to shield them from many of the common carrier burdens found in Title II of the Communications Act. Ms. Sohn will share her views in response to questions from ACA’s Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Ross Lieberman.
Prior to joining the FCC, Ms. Sohn began in 2001 as the President and CEO of Public Knowledge and from 2011-2013, she was Co-Chair of the board of directors of the Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG). Ms. Sohn has served on the board of the Telecommunications Policy Research Conference (TPRC) and on the Advisory Board of the Center for Copyright Information. In October 1997, President Clinton appointed Ms. Sohn to serve as a member of his Advisory Committee on the Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters.
Taking place March 3-5 in Washington, D.C., the ACA Summit is a forum that allows independent cable operators to come in close contact with America’s top lawmakers, regulators and journalists to discuss the vital communications issues of our time.
The ACA Summit website includes event details and secure online registration. Please visit the ACA Summit 2015 website by clicking here: ACA Summit. The event will take place at the Grand Hyatt, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.
ACA’s more than 800 independent cable operators play a unique role in providing best-in-class communications services to millions of consumers, many living and working in rural areas of the country. These operators also are competitive providers of cable service in urban areas, bringing choice and price competition to consumers. When it comes to responding to the critical broadband infrastructure needs of America, ACA Members are supplying the solutions.
Created in the early 1990’s, the ACA Summit gives independent cable operators a vehicle for framing the issues in their own words during dozens of meetings on Capitol Hill over a short period of time. More so than ever, ACA Members agree on the need to speak with one voice and to be as visible as possible in making their views known on the diverse and complex issues facing their companies.
About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing about 850 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visithttps://acaconnects.org/