WASHINGTON D.C. - The Progress & Freedom Foundation today announced confirmed panelists for a special event on June 28th, “Broadband Data:  What Do They Tell Us and Do We Have Enough?” Experts from academia, industry, think tanks, journalism, and interest groups will convene to discuss what we do and do not know about broadband in the U.S., and what data decision-makers need in order to formulate smart policies.

The discussion will be moderated by Scott Wallsten, Senior Fellow and Director of Communications Policy Studies for PFF, along with Drew Clark, The Center for Public Integrity's Senior Fellow and Project Manager. This conference on broadband statistics comes as Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are considering in greater detail broadband data collection and public-private initiatives.

The first panel discussion will address the availability and use of broadband data in the United States, while the second will focus on what kinds of broadband data collection policies the U.S. should employ.

Panel I: How Useful Are the Currently Available Data?

• Drew Clark (Moderator), Senior Fellow and Project Manager of the Telecommunications Project, The Center for Public Integrity
• Robert Atkinson, President, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation
• Kenneth Flamm, Dean Rusk Chair on International Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
• John Horrigan, Associate Director, Research, Pew Internet & American Life Project
• Derek Turner, Research Director, Free Press
• Dennis Weller, Chief Economist, Verizon Communications, Inc.
• Joseph Waz, Vice President, External Affairs and Public Policy, Comcast Corp.

Panel II: What kinds of broadband data collection policies should the U.S. employ?

• Scott Wallsten (Moderator), Senior Fellow, Director of Communications Policy Studies, The Progress & Freedom Foundation
• Beth Shiroishi, Senior Director, Regulatory Policy & Planning, AT&T, Inc.
• Mark Lloyd, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
• Drew Clark, Senior Fellow and Project Manager, Center for Public Integrity
• Laura Taylor, Vice President, Research, ConnectKentucky
• Clair Kaye, Treasurer, Cumberland Internet Inc.
• Colin Crowell (invited), Policy Advisor, Office of Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass).

The event will be held from noon to 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28th in the Lecture Room of the National Academy of Sciences at 2100 C St., NW, Washington, DC. Those wishing to attend can register online. General questions can be addressed to Brooke Glass at 202-289-8928 or bglass@pff.org. Media inquiries can be addressed to Tori Katz at 410-466-0049 or tkatz@abelcommunications.net.

The Progress & Freedom Foundation is a market-oriented think tank that studies the digital revolution and its implications for public policy. It is a 501(c)(3) research & educational organization.