FCC Coming to Town

UPDATE: Why should you care if the FCC is coming to town, or about how Internet is regulated? Start here with help from Chicago Media Action:

• “The Internet Must Not Become a Segregated Community”
• “Network Neutrality, Universal Broadband, and Racial Justice”

Are you planning on attending the meeting? Send us your impression of the meeting, or look for Chicagotalks’s Barbara Iverson at the meeting, to tell us what you think.

The Federal Communications Commission is holding a public hearing in Chicago on Monday, Dec. 21 on the future of the Internet, specifically on the development of the National Broadband Plan. The FCC has a site about the National Broadband Plan; it’s on Twitter, too. In a press release the FCC said:

“The Federal Communications Commission will hold a field hearing at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business focusing on how broadband technology can help small businesses spur growth and reach new markets. The public is encouraged to attend and participate. The agenda will be announced shortly.”

Post your photos of the event on Chicagotalks and call in a live report to 312.436.1820.

The hearing will focus on the Internet’s benefits and advantages, with an emphasis on how the Internet can help small businesses, like the many startups that are vital to jobs and economic recovery in Chicago. In the past, the public registered to speak in person, but the FCC is adapting to the way we communicate today. You can Tweet your questions during the session to panelists from Twitter @fcc. Use hashtag #BBwkshp to have your question asked during the workshop. You can  E-mail Panelists questions and ideas for discussion during the workshop. And you can just Share Your Ideas on how to develop the National Broadband Plan with the FCC.

This is part of a series of meetings where the public can give feedback on the FCC’s proposed National Broadband Plan. FreePress.net, a media watchdog group, advises us to get our ideas about how we need a fast, affordable and open Internet for everyone in Chicago to the FCC before it is too late.

Here are the details:

What: FCC Field Hearing on Broadband and Business
When: Monday, Dec. 21, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Gleacher Center, University of Chicago
450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
Online:http://www.fcc.gov/live/

Post your photos of the event on Chicagotalks and call in a live report to 312.436.1820.

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