Megan Brown Weighs In on Telecom Industry’s Policy ‘Wish List’ for 2018

January 11, 2018

Megan L. Brown, a partner in Wiley Rein’s Telecom, Media & Technology Practice, was quoted by Law360 in a January 9 article about the telecommunications industry’s policy “wish list” for 2018.

One key priority is maintaining a civil public discourse on high-profile issues, according to the article. Ms. Brown said the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision last month to reverse the previous administration’s net neutrality rules underscored the importance of a professional, open dialogue between government and stakeholders.

Law360 noted that in the lead-up to the FCC’s vote to reclassify the Internet as a Title I information service, the net neutrality proceeding generated intense public debate and allegations of fraudulent use of the Commission’s online comment system. In addition, a reported security threat prompted a temporary evacuation of the FCC meeting room shortly before the December 14 vote.

“I think late 2017 was really disappointing in how the Title I classification debate went,” Ms. Brown said. “I hope that we return to a more civil discourse in talking about matters of public policy.”

Ms. Brown also emphasized the need for state and local governments to cooperate with wireless service providers to deploy the necessary infrastructure for next-generation broadband services. She said state and local governments would do well to embrace technology changes “instead of putting up barriers.”

“The innovation I’m seeing from clients is remarkable,” Ms. Brown said. “Government needs to stay out of their way and let them do their thing.”

The Law360 article can be found here (subscription required).