Technology

Congress Slow to Agree on Internet Regulation

Published

10 years ago

February 6, 2015

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler testifies on Capitol Hill on Dec. 12, 2013. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Few members of Congress appear willing to move toward a bipartisan update to the 80-year-old, Depression-era law that top U.S. regulators say gives them the authority to regulate the Internet.

That means that communications legislation written in 1934, when Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office, will likely be used to regulate how Internet service providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast do business with content providers like Google, Netflix, YouTube and Amazon.

“I don’t think there’s much appetite in Congress for compromise, nor do I think one’s necessary,” said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group that says using the 1934 Communications Act gives U.S. regulators flexibility by allowing them to update rules if necessary.

“They pass a law and get really into the specifics where frankly they don’t have the expertise,” Simpson added. “Circumstances change, and they don’t have the flexibility or inclination to go back and change it.”

Many people agree too much regulation and imposition of taxes on Internet commerce could chill investment at a time of exponential growth. But consumers also support the idea of an open Internet and “net neutrality,” in which service providers don’t manipulate or block web traffic. For years, the Federal Communications Commission tried to rely on 1996 legislation to enforce an open Internet, but a federal court disagreed with that approach and tossed out key portions of the rule.

On Wednesday, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced a plan that would put Internet service in the same regulatory camp as the telephone. Using Title II of the 1934 Communications Act, the FCC would be given broad authority to ban providers from manipulating web content. Wheeler would allow for some business deals among Internet players to manage data, but those “interconnection” agreements would be subject to FCC review.

Wheeler says his approach won’t discourage industry investments because he’ll withhold enforcement of sections of the law that don’t apply to broadband, and he won’t try to regulate industry prices.

The proposal is likely to be approved by the FCC’s five-member commission on Feb. 26. Industry lobbyists say it’s inevitable that one of the major providers will sue and that the FCC is overreaching in its legal authority. It’s also unclear whether Wheeler’s plan could be used by future FCC commissioners to justify price controls and other heavy handed regulation.

“If Congress doesn’t rein in the FCC, broadband providers will soon look and act like power companies and the old Ma Bell telephone monopoly: stagnant, slow-moving, and anything but innovative,” warned Ryan Radia of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a libertarian group.

But a day after Wheeler’s announcement, there were few indications that lawmakers were interested in striking a bipartisan deal to modernize communications law. Democrats like Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., had already said they were satisfied with the Title II approach and declared it a victory for consumers. Meanwhile, Republicans like Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., accused the White House of bullying the independent regulatory agency when President Barack Obama called on the FCC to apply Title II to Internet service.

“The White House needs to get its hands off the FCC,” Upton declared Thursday in a statement.

Thune and Upton have drafted legislation that would enforce basic open Internet rules, but would strip the FCC of other authority including its ability to help local municipalities to build their own broadband. That’s considered a non-starter for Democrats and would be vetoed by Obama.

Lawmakers and their staff were expected to take some time dissecting Wheeler’s proposal, including its technical implications.

But after that, it’s unclear what incentive Democrats would have to hash out a compromise with Republicans who want to limit the FCC’s authority in general. Sen. Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, and Rep. Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, are seen as the most likely to work with their GOP counterparts. But they would have to find support among their colleagues who see Title II regulation as a good approach.

“The president did the right thing,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., a member of the Senate Commerce Committee. “He called on the FCC to make the right decision when it comes to the Internet and protecting it from cable companies who want to overcharge or slow down connections.”

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Activism

Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers

Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

Published

2 months ago

March 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Front Row: UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team Back Row: Girls, Inc. Participants. Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.

Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.

This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.

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Activism

Self-eSTEM Empowers BIPOC Women, Girls in Science, Math

In January 2025, Self-eSTEM will launch digital and generative AI programming, which provides digital literacy and AI literacy training through an entrepreneurial project-based activity. This programming will be a hybrid (i.e. in-person and online). Additionally, thanks to a grant from Comcast, in spring 2025, the organization will have a co-ed series for middle and high school students.

Published

5 months ago

December 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Adamaka Ajaelo. Courtesy photo.

By Y’Anad Burrell
Special to The Post

In a world where technology plays an increasingly central role in all aspects of life, the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education cannot be overstated. Recognizing the significance of STEM for the future, focusing on young women and girls is a critical step in achieving gender equality and empowering the next generation.

Self-eSTEM, an Oakland-based non-profit organization, was founded by Adamaka Ajaelo, an Oakland native who had a successful corporate career with several Bay Area technology and non-tech companies. Ajaelo boldly decided to step away from these companies to give 100% of her time and talent to the non-profit organization she started in 2014 in the belief that she can change the game in innovation and future STEM leaders.

Over the course of a decade, Ajaelo has provided futurist tech programming to more than 2,000 BIPOC women and girls. The organization has an Early STEM Immersion Program for ages 7-17, Emerging Leaders Workshops for ages 18-25 and volunteer network opportunities for ages 25 and up.

While the organization’s programs center on innovation and technology, participants also gain other valuable skills critical for self-development as they prepare for a workforce future. “Self-eSTEM encourages young women to expand on teamwork, communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The organization allows young women to enter STEM careers and pathways,” said Trinity Taylor, a seventh-year innovator.

“Our journey over the last decade is a testament to the power of community and opportunity, and I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds as we continue to break barriers and spark dreams,” said Ajaelo.

“By encouraging girls to explore STEM fields from a young age, we foster their intellectual growth and equip them with the tools needed to thrive in a competitive global economy,” Ajaelo says.

Empowering young girls through STEM education is also a key driver of innovation and progress. When young women and girls are encouraged to pursue careers in STEM, they bring unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches to the table, leading to more diverse and inclusive solutions. This diversity is crucial for driving creativity and pushing boundaries in scientific and technological advancements.

Self-eSTEM has fundraising opportunities year-round, but year-end giving is one of the most critical times to support the program. Visit www.selfestem.org to donate to the organization, as your generosity and support will propel programming support for today’s innovators.

You will also find more details about Self-eSTEM’s programs on their website and social channels @selfestemorg

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Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌

Feds: California Will Be Home to New National Semiconductor Technology Center

California was chosen by the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and Natcast, the operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) to be home to the headquarters for the National Semiconductor Technology Center – as part of the Biden-Harris Admin’s CHIPS and Science Act. The CHIPS for America Design and Collaboration Facility (DCF) will be one of three CHIPS for America research and design (R&D) facilities and will also operate as the headquarters for the NTSC and Natcast.

Published

7 months ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Antonio Ray Harvey

The CHIPS for America Design and Collaboration Facility (DCF) will be one of three CHIPS for America research and design (R&D) facilities and will also operate as the headquarters for the NTSC and Natcast.

“We are thrilled that the Department of Commerce and Natcast chose to locate this critically important facility in Sunnyvale, the heart of the Silicon Valley, alongside the world’s largest concentration of semiconductor businesses, talent, intellectual property, and investment activity,” said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Economic Advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). “The Newsom Administration and our partners across the industry know how important it is to shorten the timeframe from R&D to commercialization.”

According to GO-Biz, the DCF is expected to direct over $1 billion in research funding and create more than 200 employees in the next decade. The facility will serve as the center for advanced semiconductor research in chip design, electronic design automation, chip and system architecture, and hardware security. The CHF will be essential to the country’s semiconductor workforce development efforts.

As detailed in the released NSTC Strategic Plan, the DCF will suppress the obstacles to “semiconductor prototyping, experimentation,” and other R&D activities that will enhance the country’s global power and leadership in design, materials, and process innovation while enabling a vigorous domestic industr“Establishing the NSTC headquarters and design hub in California will capitalize on our state’s unparalleled assets to grow a highly skilled workforce and develop next-generation advancements,” stated U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). “This CHIPS Act funding will propel emerging technologies and protect America’s global semiconductor leadership, all while bringing good-paying jobs to our state.”