What's New
June 7, 2013 - As the internet becomes an increasingly integral part of our lives for work and entertainment, there is increased focus on the economics of the internet ecosystem. Are markets for broadband and applications sufficiently competitive? Are they delivering what consumers and businesses want and need? Most importantly, is government providing a framework that encourages investment and innovation? The panel "Competition, Regulation and the Evolution of Internet Business Models" at the TPI Aspen Forum will feature speakers from broadband providers, government and academia to discuss such topics as: the economics of broadband platforms, business models and pricing plans, investment in infrastructure and applications, and the need to update public policies accordingly.
May 23, 2013 - The Obamaphone controversy-whether government should subsidize wireless phone service for the poor-has two great ironies. The first is that wireless subsidies, which are part of the Lifeline and Linkup programs, were actually begun under Republicans President Bush and FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. This irony has been well documented and thoroughly enjoyed by many liberals.
May 21, 2013 - Exclusive focus by policymakers and advocates on increasing broadband speeds removes from consideration other metrics that may be as or more important to innovation, explains Scott Wallsten in "The Real Benefits of Gigabit Networks Have Nothing to do with Speed," released today by the Technology Policy Institute. The focus on broadband speed, "also obscures the real benefits of new high-speed networks like Google Fiber, which include new competition and revealed information about how local rules and regulations can hamper entry into the broadband market."
May 17, 2013 - A preview agenda is now available for the 2013 Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum, scheduled for August 18 - 20.
May 16, 2013 - Barry Diller's new Aereo venture may turn out to be the ultimate Catch-22. Aereo is possible only because of the existence of broadcast television, but broadcasters view it as a threat and have warned that they may stop broadcasting. If that happens, broadcast television and Aereo could both cease to exist.
May 14, 2013 - This is in response to ICANN's request for comments on the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) Beijing Communique of 11 April 2013. The GAC Communique recommends that ICANN implement a range of regulations (which the GAC calls "safeguards") for all new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) covering areas ranging from malware to piracy to trademark and copyright infringement. The GAC proposes specific safeguards for regulated and professional sectors covering areas as diverse as privacy and security, consumer protection, fair lending and organic farming. Finally, the GAC proposes a "public interest" requirement for approval of new "exclusive registry access" gTLDs.
May 3, 2013 - The Technology Policy Institute and the Progressive Policy Institute will host a luncheon discussion on tax reform and simplification on May 7th from 11:45am to 1:15pm.
April 30, 2013 - The mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum is the spectrum most immediately available for meeting the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Plan goals, explain Thomas Lenard and Lawrence White in "The Spectrum Crunch, MSS Spectrum and LightSquared," released today by the Technology Policy Institute. To help reach its goal, the agency should grant LightSquared's request to modify its spectrum license and allow the company to move forward with its 4G-LTE network.
April 10, 2013 - In the midst of juggling paperwork and forms during tax season it's tempting to imagine a world where your income tax forms spontaneously appear in your mailbox or inbox, filled out by the good graces of the IRS, ready for signature, free of charge. Return-free filing is touted in a recent piece by ProPublica and NPR, which makes the case that Americans could be spared needless frustration, anxiety and paperwork were it not for the lobbying efforts of Intuit, maker of TurboTax, and the pernicious influence of anti-tax activists. Unfortunately, the facts tell a different story and return-free filing advocates rest their case on a number of fallacies.
April 5, 2013 - The Federal Communication Commission's recent Mobility Fund Phase 1 Auction should be considered a "qualified success," illustrating that reverse auctions and cost-effectiveness measures can be efficient ways to distribute Universal Service subsidies, explains Scott Wallsten in "Two Cheers for the FCC's Mobility Fund Reverse Auction," released today by the Technology Policy Institute. However, in order to address possible issues with future reverse auctions, the Commission should consider analyzing auction eligibility requirements, how it evaluates bids, and using different auction designs to discourage strategic bidding.
March 7, 2013 - Individual operators of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) should determine if registration policies should be "open" or "closed," recommends Technology Policy Institute President Thomas Lenard in comments filed with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Leaving the decision to the operator allows experimentation and innovation in business models and promotes flexibility, making it easier to allocate gTLDs to the highest-valued use as business models or economic conditions change.
February 28, 2013 - In his recent paper, "Is There Really a Spectrum Crisis? Quantifying the Factors Affecting Spectrum License Value," TPI's Scott Wallsten found that spectrum auction prices increased from 2007 - 2011, suggesting that demand for wireless services outpaced technological improvements in spectrum usage and increases in spectrum supply. Both the Federal Communications Commission and Congress have made moving spectrum into the market a priority. Are the proposed spectrum auctions and release of spectrum for unlicensed uses enough to ease the "crunch"?
February 12, 2013 - Online registration is now open for the Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum, scheduled this year for August 18 - 20.
February 1, 2013 - In his recent paper, "Is There Really a Spectrum Crisis? Quantifying the Factors Affecting Spectrum License Value," TPI's Scott Wallsten found that spectrum auction prices increased from 2007 - 2011, suggesting that demand for wireless services outpaced technological improvements in spectrum usage and increases in spectrum supply. Both the Federal Communications Commission and Congress have made moving spectrum into the market a priority. Are the proposed spectrum auctions and release of spectrum for unlicensed uses enough to ease the "crunch"?
January 24, 2013 - Spectrum license values have steadily increased over the past five years, explains Scott Wallsten in "Is There Really a Spectrum Crisis? Quantifying the Factors Affecting Spectrum License Value." From 2007 to 2011, spectrum auction prices in terms of dollars per MHz-pop increased, suggesting that demand for wireless services outpaced technological improvements in spectrum usage. Therefore, Wallsten advises, "The FCC and NTIA should continue to move spectrum into the market and ensure that spectrum already available be able to move smoothly and efficiently through secondary transactions."
January 14, 2013 - Robert W. Crandall, one of the most prominent industrial organization economists working today, has joined the Technology Policy Institute as an Adjunct Senior Fellow. "Bob has done fundamental research in telecommunications, antitrust and other areas of regulatory policy," said TPI president Tom Lenard. "We are extremely pleased he is joining us."
January 7, 2013 - After investigating Google's search practices for almost two years, the Federal Trade Commission and its staff undoubtedly wanted more than the few voluntary modifications to which Google has agreed. But the Commission demonstrated its professionalism by concluding that the evidence did not support bringing an antitrust case and that no additional remedy was likely to benefit consumers.
December 17, 2012 - In comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Technology Policy Institute President Thomas Lenard recommends the agency approve LightSquared's license modification request in order to hasten deployment of its mobile broadband network. Having already made significant investments, LightSquared remains the most immediate prospect for becoming a viable competitor in the mobile broadband space, particularly for underserved areas.
November 23, 2012 - In his post-election acceptance speech, President Obama said "fixing our immigration system" would be one of the first items on his legislative agenda and "we need to seize the moment". But the president and the congress face a more immediate task: backing away from the "fiscal cliff" and coming up with a plan to avoid the $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts scheduled to kick in starting January 1. Easing immigration restrictions for high-skilled workers can help achieve that objective.
October 25, 2012 - "The privacy debate is taking place in an empirical vacuum," state Thomas Lenard and Paul Rubin in "The FTC and Privacy: We Don't Need No Stinking Data" published in The Antitrust Source, a journal of the American Bar Association. The article evaluates two recent Federal Trade Commission privacy reports and concludes that they suffer from a lack of data and analysis and therefore "are seriously deficient as a foundation for new policy recommendations."
October 10, 2012 - A decision on whether to bring a potentially historic antitrust case against Google is imminent, and the Federal Trade Commission will be judged, for better or worse, on what it decides.
August 29, 2012 - Webcasts are now available of the discussion panels and keynote speakers at the Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum.
August 8, 2012 - The Technology Policy Institute's 2012 Aspen Forum is set to convene in just over a week, on Sunday August 19th and concluding Tuesday, August 21st. Keynote speakers at the 2012 Aspen Forum include Philip Falcone, Chief Executive Officer of Harbinger Capital Partners; Erik Brynjolfsson from MIT; The Wall Street Journal's Gordon Crovitz; Google's General Counsel, Kent Walker; Jon Summers, Senior Vice President, Applications and Service Infrastructure for AT&T; and author Andrew Keen. Just added to the agenda is Tim Westergren, Chief Strategy Officer and Founder of Pandora.
August 7, 2012 - As the Internet has grown, antitrust enforcement in the internet sector has become a priority in both the United States and Europe. In order to best serve consumers' interests, antitrust policy in this dynamic sector needs to be based on an accurate understanding of how the competitive process works. Participants in the panel "Internet Competition: Implications for Antitrust" at the Technology Policy Institute's 2012 Aspen Forum will discuss this issue generally and assess the record of antitrust enforcement against high tech and internet-based companies. Online registration for the Aspen Forum can be performed on the TPI website.
August 6, 2012 - Earlier this year, the White House and the Federal Trade Commission released major privacy reports endorsing a multistakeholder process to develop voluntary codes of conduct as well as legislation to augment self-regulatory efforts. Panelists for the session "Multistakeholder Processes for Privacy: Regulation, Self-Regulation or Markets" at the Technology Policy Institute's 2012 Aspen Forum will discuss these reports as well as efforts by the Department of Commerce and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to implement some of the reports' recommendations. In addition, the panelists will discuss FTC enforcement under its existing authority. The session will be moderated by Thomas Lenard, President and Senior Fellow at the Technology Policy Institute.
August 2, 2012 - Two panel discussions at the Technology Policy Institute's 2012 Aspen Forum will cover an array of forthcoming national and international internet policy issues. The panels will feature U.S. and foreign government officials and public policy experts from a range of Internet corporations. The Aspen Forum is scheduled for August 19 - 21.
July 31, 2012 - The Technology Policy Institute has confirmed presenters for the 2012 Aspen Forum breakout sessions. The three informal, off-the-record breakout sessions will cover the pertinent topics of copyright and piracy, cybersecurity, and the economics of internet infrastructure, content, and applications. The Aspen Forum is scheduled for August 19 - 21.
July 24, 2012 - Philip Falcone, Chief Executive Officer of Harbinger Capital Partners, will be the featured dinner speaker at the Technology Policy Institute's 2012 Aspen Forum, scheduled for August 19 - 21. Falcone, is expected to share his perspective on investment and innovation in the communications industry, including his views on spectrum and broadband policy.
July 19, 2012 - There is still time to register for the Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum, scheduled for August 19 - 21 at the St. Regis in Aspen, Colorado. An updated agenda is available here.
July 18, 2012 - Can "self-regulation" adequately protect privacy online? That question was posed during a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing focused on the current self-regulatory effort to develop a "Do-Not-Track" (DNT) mechanism - and answered in the negative by the committee's senior Democrats, who believe privacy legislation is long overdue. Commerce Committee Chairman Rockefeller emphasized that he was speaking for consumers. But despite years of such hearings, the benefits to consumers of privacy regulation of any kind - let alone net benefits (i.e., benefits minus costs) - have yet to be demonstrated.
June 27, 2012 - Discounted registration for the Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum has been extended an additional week. The discount of $500 off the regular registration fee is now available through Monday, July 9th.
June 26, 2012 - While the majority of research on file-sharing has focused primarily on whether file-sharing has decreased record sales, less attention has been paid to how much of the sales decline can be attributed to file sharing. At the event, "The Effect of File Sharing on Music and Movie Sales: Reviewing the Research," Stan Liebowitz, Ashbel Smith Professor of Economics at the University of Texas at Dallas, will discuss the findings of his recent paper, "The Metric is the Message: How much of the Decline in Sound Recording Sales is due to File-Sharing?" In the paper, Liebowitz applies a consistent metric to existing research and finds that most estimates indicate that file-sharing is responsible for the entire decline in record sales. Coleman Bazelon from The Brattle Group, Inc., coauthor of "The Impact of Digitization on Business Models in Copyright-Driven Industries," will discuss the findings of Liebowitz's paper.
May 21, 2012 - A preview agenda is now available for the 2012 Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum, scheduled for August 19 - 21. Confirmed keynote speakers include Erik Brynjolfsson, Schussel Family Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and Director of the MIT Center for Digital Business; and Gordon Crovitz, Co-Founder of Press+ and Columnist and Former Publisher of the Wall Street Journal. The Forum will also feature a conversation with Representatives Marsha Blackburn and Cliff Stearns.
May 16, 2012 - Internet data traffic growth shows no signs of slowing anytime soon and peak traffic is projected to grow even faster due to many factors, including growth in video and cloud-based services and richer content on major websites. The changing nature of demand for bandwidth has potentially large implications for our communications landscape. For example, it may already be straining long-standing peering and transit agreements as traditional balances of traffic change and is increasingly testing the viability of the traditional "all-you-can-eat" broadband pricing models.
April 17, 2012 - The Technology Policy Institute, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and Silicon Flatirons are pleased to host "The Innovation Consensus: Economic Growth in 2013 and Beyond." The half-day conference will explore issues surrounding America's innovation potential and how it impacts our global competitiveness. Participants will discuss how to move innovation issues to the front and center of our political system with support from both sides of the aisle.
April 2, 2012 - The privacy code of conduct developed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) multistakeholder (MSH) process will apply to many more consumers and firms than can be directly involved in the process. Therefore, code provisions should be analyzed in much the same way as a regulation in order to assure that they produce benefits in excess of costs, states Thomas Lenard in comments filed today with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. By adopting a process for cost-benefit analysis, the agency can ensure the interests of all stakeholders, including present and future Internet users, are represented.
March 29, 2012 - Antitrust officials in the U.S. and Europe act as if they've found their next Microsoft and seem ready to party like it's 1999. At a Senate hearing last year, former antitrust division chief Thomas Barnett, representing Google's competitors, accused Google of "using its extraordinary power to manipulate users and foreclose the ability of other sites to compete." Yelp cofounder Jeremy Stoppelman wondered "whether new ideas can compete fairly" against Google. (Apparently they can; several weeks ago, Yelp had a very successful IPO). Both the chairman and the ranking member of the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee support the current Federal Trade Commission investigation.
March 14, 2012 - The Technology Policy Institute, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and Silicon Flatirons are pleased to host "The Innovation Consensus: Economic Growth in 2013 and Beyond."
February 21, 2012 - The purchase of spectrum proposed in the Verizon Wireless-SpectrumCo deal should benefit consumers and does not in itself raise antitrust concerns because the spectrum is currently not being used, explains Scott Wallsten in comments filed today with the Federal Communication Commission. In addition, the proposed joint commercial agreements, which are common across industries, should be analyzed according to the Antitrust Guidelines for Collaborations Among Competitors defined by the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice.
February 17, 2012 - Online registration is now open for the Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum, scheduled this year for August 19 - 21.
February 9, 2012 - Arlene Holen, Senior Fellow at the Technology Policy Institute, urged policymakers to consider the costs and benefits of its proposed "real-time tax system" in a statement submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.
January 5, 2012 - The Technology Policy Institute's 2012 Aspen Forum will be held August 19 - 21 at the St. Regis Aspen Resort in Aspen, Colorado.
November 21, 2011 - Online leisure time is beginning to crowd out other, offline activities such as socializing, relaxing and watching traditional television, finds Scott Wallsten in "What Are We Not Doing When We're Online?" released today by the Technology Policy Institute. Leisure time spent watching online video appears to be taking the place of traditional television viewing, albeit not rapidly or as ubiquitously as some have claimed. In addition, younger people are rapidly abandoning email and replacing it with texting and social networking applications.
September 30, 2011 - The proposed Connect America Fund intended to provide broadband to high-cost areas should abandon a cost-based approach in favor of a value-based approach in which subsidies depend on whether the incremental benefits are worth the cost, argues Scott Wallsten in "How to Create a More Efficient CAF by Incorporating Demand and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis," released today by the Technology Policy Institute. A cost-effectiveness analysis focused on willingness to pay and incremental effects can ensure the CAF is more efficient than the current universal service high-cost fund.
September 20, 2011 - Government funding for research and development should focus on activities that would not happen otherwise to avoid crowding out private sources of funding, stated Scott Wallsten in testimony today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. During the hearing, "Tax Reform Options: Incentives for Innovation," Wallsten suggested that a permanent tax credit for qualified R&D would help stimulate additional innovation in the private sector.
September 6, 2011 - Tech companies that become dominant inevitably come into the antitrust cross-hairs. Google is the latest example and is now the subject of investigations in both the U.S. and Europe over allegations it has abused its dominant position in online search and other businesses. At "Online Search, Antitrust and Google: In Search of a Pro-Consumer Policy," hosted by the Technology Policy Institute, a distinguished group of experts will discuss the complex issues the antitrust agencies must address in their review of Google. Topics will include market definition, market power, existence and effects of "search bias", the availability of effective remedies, and, ultimately, what is in the consumer's best interest.
August 25, 2011 - Webcasts are now available of the discussion panels and keynote speakers at the Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum. TPI's Aspen Forum brought together notable representatives from business, government, and academia in a relaxed, informal setting to discuss and debate the key public policy issues surrounding information and communications technology.
August 25, 2011 - Tech companies that become dominant inevitably come into the antitrust cross-hairs. Google is the latest example and is now the subject of investigations in both the U.S. and Europe over allegations it has abused its dominant position in online search and other businesses. At "Online Search, Antitrust and Google: In Search of a Pro-Consumer Policy," hosted by the Technology Policy Institute, a distinguished group of experts will discuss the complex issues the antitrust agencies must address in their review of Google. Topics will include market definition, market power, existence and effects of "search bias", the availability of effective remedies, and, ultimately, what is in the consumer's best interest.
August 11, 2011 - The vast majority of the Internet's critical infrastructure is operated by the private sector, but government still has a critical leadership role to play in supporting comprehensive cybersecurity readiness. The panel, "Cybersecurity - Public and Private Roles," at the TPI Aspen Forum will examine the respective roles of government and the private sector in safeguarding the Internet against the mounting threats of cyber crime and cyber terrorism.
August 5, 2011 - Krish Prabhu, President and CEO of AT&T Labs has been added as a keynote speaker at the TPI Aspen Forum, scheduled for August 21 - 23 in Aspen, Colorado. Prabhu leads one of the world's premier research institutions, dedicated to advancing the science and technology of communications and information.
August 3, 2011 - Online video is the most bandwidth-intensive use of the Internet for millions of users, and its growth shows no signs of slowing. This rapid growth has potentially far-reaching implications for broad swaths of the economy, including both last-mile Internet providers and content producers. Speakers at the TPI Aspen Forum panel, "Watching the Future: The Economic Implications of Online Video," will discuss these potential implications and the future of content delivery. The TPI Aspen Forum is scheduled for August 21 - 23 in Aspen, Colorado.
August 2, 2011 - The Technology Policy Institute has confirmed presenters for the 2011 Aspen Forum breakout sessions. The four informal, off-the-record breakout sessions will cover the pertinent topics of spectrum policy, intellectual property, antitrust, and online drug advertising. A complete list of breakout session presenters is now available on the TPI website. The Aspen Forum is scheduled for August 21 - 23.
July 25, 2011 - The Technology Policy Institute has confirmed speakers for the TPI Aspen Forum panel, "Internet Governance in a Post-Wikileaks, Post-Egypt World". This panel will bring together a distinguished group of international experts to discuss one of the most high-profile technology related global public policy subjects-how individuals, companies, and governments are grappling with the conflicting and difficult opportunities and threats arising from the explosive growth of the Internet. The panelists will explore not only what is happening today, but also critically important emerging issues regarding upcoming major international events that may fundamentally change the legal and policy dynamics of the Internet world. The TPI Aspen Forum is scheduled for August 21 - 23 in Aspen, Colorado.
July 21, 2011 - Victor Nichols, Chief Executive Officer of Experian North America, will address attendees at this year's TPI Aspen Forum. He will join other notable speakers at the premiere event, where participants will discuss the latest in technology policy and innovation issues. The annual event is scheduled for August 21 - 23 in Aspen, Colorado.
July 21, 2011 - Revised articles from the recent TPI conference, "Antitrust and the Dynamics of Competition in High-Tech Industries," have now been published as a special issue of the "Review of Industrial Organization." The issue (Volume 38, Number 4) also includes an introduction by Technology Policy Institute President Thomas Lenard.
July 19, 2011 - The Technology Policy Institute has confirmed speakers for the TPI Aspen Forum panel, "A Discussion with Media and Telecom Leaders." The panel, comprising the top public policy minds in the key sectors of media and the Internet, will discuss current and leading-edge issues such as privacy, cybersecurity, wireless broadband and spectrum reform, next-generation broadband, and intellectual property in an Internet age, from both a U.S. and global perspective. The panelists will also explore the role and limits of government regulation in an Internet age. The TPI Aspen Forum is scheduled for August 21 - 23 in Aspen, Colorado.
July 7, 2011 - The importance of the communications sector as a driver of innovation and the economic recovery has increasingly put the Federal Communications Commission at the center of critically important policy debates. Policies involving broadband penetration and adoption, spectrum allocation, and network neutrality will affect the evolution of the media and communications industries for years to come. FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Robert M. McDowell will share their views and recommendations on these and related issues during the closing luncheon panel, "A Conversation with the Commissioners" at the TPI Aspen Forum, scheduled for August 21 - 23 in Aspen, Colorado.
July 5, 2011 - Colorado Senator Mark Udall will offer welcoming remarks at the Technology Policy Institute's Aspen Forum, scheduled for August 21-23. Senator Udall, elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008 after serving five terms as Representative of Colorado's 2nd district, has worked to promote the development of Colorado's aerospace industry, and the clean energy and high technology sectors. Senator Udall currently serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the Select Committee on Intelligence.
June 29, 2011 - Without substantially better data and analysis, policymakers cannot make informed decisions concerning data privacy and security legislation, stated Thomas Lenard in testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. During the hearing, "Privacy and Data Security: Protecting Consumers in the Modern World," Lenard also stressed that data privacy and security are different issues and should be dealt with separately by policymakers.
May 31, 2011 - Data privacy raises issues that are central to the health of the Internet ecosystem and will be a major focus of this year's TPI Aspen Forum. While proposals have emanated from the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce, and Congress, few data exist on the nature and extent of the problem and how proposed privacy regulations would impact consumers. Distinguished speakers from academia, government and industry will debate the future of privacy policy during the discussion panel, "Information and Privacy: In Search of a Data-Driven Policy." The TPI Aspen Forum is scheduled for August 21 - 23 in Aspen, Colorado.
May 25, 2011 - Properly anonymized health data pose little risk of patient identification, state Jane Yakowitz and Daniel Barth-Jones in "The Illusory Privacy Problem in Sorrell v. IMS Health," published today by the Technology Policy Institute. Moreover, if the Department of Health and Human Services were to abandon the distinction between personally identifiable and anonymized data (as the Federal Trade Commission has done in its recent report) "the result would be nothing short of disastrous for health care improvements and medical research," according to the authors.
May 19, 2011 - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers should be more accountable to its private sector users, state Thomas Lenard and Lawrence White in "Improving ICANN's Governance and Accountability: A Policy Proposal," published in the latest issue of Information Economics and Policy. Instead of increased government involvement, as some have been advocating, Lenard and White recommend ICANN be governed by its direct users, the registries and registrars, as a way of improving accountability, a longstanding issue with ICANN.
May 12, 2011 - The FCC and the Administration want to make 120 MHz of spectrum currently used for broadcast available for other, presumably higher-value, wireless uses. Policymakers are proposing using voluntary auctions to encourage broadcasters to sell their licenses, but questions remain on how these incentive auctions would work in practice. Discussion at "Spectrum Incentive Auctions: the Nuts, Bolts and Economics," hosted by the Technology Policy Institute, will focus on the economics of auctions and how spectrum incentive auctions should be structured to provide the most efficient outcomes for stakeholders. Discussants will also answer questions submitted by attendees. Questions can be submitted anonymously on the TPI website.
April 20, 2011 - Peter Thiel, technology entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, will join other notable keynote speakers at the Technology Policy Institute's 2011 Aspen Forum, scheduled for August 21 - 23. Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and investor in such tech companies as Facebook, LinkedIn, and SpaceX, is expected to share his perspective on the current economy and the environment for innovation in the technology sector.
April 18, 2011 - Transitioning the use of universal service funds to subsidize broadband creates a unique opportunity to reform the program. Reforms should include a focus on low-income subsides and competitive bidding in high-cost service areas, explain Scott Wallsten and Gregory Rosston in "The Path to Universal Broadband: Why We Should Grant Low-Income Subsides, and Use Auctions and Experiments to Determine the Specifics" recently published by The Economists' Voice.
March 25, 2011 - A preview agenda is now available for the Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum, scheduled this year for August 21 - 23. Confirmed keynote speakers include Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, Chair of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Dale Jorgenson, Samuel W. Morris University Professor at Harvard University, and Mark McLaughlin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verisign.
March 17, 2011 - Economic analysis shows that the benefits of online information collection, such as ad-supported applications and content, greatly outweigh any costs or risks, state Paul Rubin and Michael Hammock in "Applications Want to be Free: Privacy Against Information," released today by the Technology Policy Institute. Current arguments for increased privacy regulation are not based on economic theory or evidence and instead rely on anecdotes or a perceived inherent "right" to privacy online. As a result, policymakers should be leery of making radical changes to the current privacy regime without carefully considering the economic consequences.
March 7, 2011 - Online video is now available on the C-SPAN website of last Friday's event "Online Privacy after the DOC and FTC Reports," hosted by the Technology Policy Institute. The event featured opening remarks by Congressman Cliff Stearns, Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In his remarks, Stearns outlined the goals and key provisions of the draft privacy legislation he is planning to introduce soon.
February 28, 2011 - Congressman Cliff Stearns will offer remarks at this Friday's event "Online Privacy after the DOC and FTC Reports," hosted by the Technology Policy Institute. Rep. Stearns, Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is expected to soon introduce privacy legislation, building upon a previous draft developed in the last Congress.
February 24, 2011 - The long-awaited Federal Trade Commission and Department of Commerce reports outlined recommendations for online privacy policy ranging from strengthening multi-stakeholder models to a "Do Not Track" mechanism for internet browsers. Congress is now poised to add its voice to the debate, with legislation already introduced and more to come. With the proposals representing a wide swath of options, how can policymakers choose the best course of action? How will each proposal affect online businesses and consumers? Alternately, is a federal privacy policy needed or advisable? Panelists at the March 4th event, "Online Privacy after the DOC and FTC Reports" will discuss the findings of the recent DOC and FTC reports and will give their suggestions on how policymakers in both the agencies and Congress can move forward on online privacy issues.
February 23, 2011 - Over half of subsidies, or $.59 of every dollar, paid through the High-Cost Universal Service Fund go to general expenses of firms, not to directly providing support to high-cost lines, finds Scott Wallsten in "The Universal Service Fund: What Do High-Cost Subsides Subsidize?," released today by the Technology Policy Institute. This research underscores the inefficiency in the current universal service subsidies program and, in particular, the high-cost fund. Policymakers should use the push to include broadband as part of USF to implement radical reforms.
February 17, 2011 - The Federal Trade Commission should rigorously analyze the costs and benefits of its proposed privacy recommendations, including the "Do Not Track" mechanism, before moving forward with any policy proposals, states Thomas Lenard in comments submitted in response to the Commission's Staff Report on privacy. Without such an analysis, the Commission cannot accurately predict if its recommendations will improve or reduce consumer welfare.
February 9, 2011 - Online registration is now open for the Technology Policy Institute Aspen Forum, scheduled for August 21 - 23.
February 2, 2011 - The rising popularity of cloud computing will require changes to the underlying network architecture, raising questions about the impact of regulations on the fledgling industry, explains Christopher Yoo in, "Cloud Computing: Architectural and Policy Implications," released today by the Technology Policy Institute. The paper is a revised version of a paper presented at the recent TPI conference, "Antitrust and the Dynamics of Competition in High-Tech Industries."
January 28, 2011 - The U.S. Department of Commerce should rigorously analyze the costs and benefits of its proposed privacy framework and alternative policy proposals before moving forward with any recommendations, states Thomas Lenard in comments submitted today in response to the agency's Green Paper on online privacy. Without such an analysis, the agency cannot accurately predict if its proposal will improve or reduce consumer welfare.
