<div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I got a couple of things from this 1) that in the 90s sausage making, the word "internet' was taboo, because nominally it was still a DoD / NSF project and thus would involve whole areas of government beyond telecom, thus the euphemism "advanced networks' was used 2) that E-rate, which provided many connections to schoold and libraries, only got funded because (Later Trump AG) Bill Barr totally fumbled the ball in court, and 3) yes, Al Gore was key. </div><div id="gmail-:1cu" class="gmail-Am gmail-aiL gmail-Al editable gmail-LW-avf gmail-tS-tW gmail-tS-tY" aria-label="Message Body" role="textbox" aria-multiline="true" tabindex="1" style="direction:ltr;min-height:272px" aria-controls=":1mr" aria-expanded="false"><div><div class="gmail_default"><br></div><div class="gmail_default">Please note that ISOC LIVE recaps are now mirrored at <a href="https://isoclive.substack.com/">https://isoclive.substack.com/</a><br></div></div><div></div><div><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px"><a href="https://isoc.live/20296" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)"><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"><img class="gmail-alignright gmail-size-medium gmail-wp-image-20297" src="https://i0.wp.com/isoc.live/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/benton-telecom-act.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1" alt="ISOC LIVE" width="300" height="169" style="box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: right; margin-left: 1.5em;"></a></p><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlg8We3ePxcOa9iqDoBa3LbDo9lUNwA_H" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">VIDEO</a> | <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/153570251/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">RECAP</a> | <a href="https://archive.org/details/benton-telecom-act" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">ARCHIVE</a> | <a href="https://isoc.live/20296" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">PERMALINK</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px">On <span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">March 5, 2026</span>, the <span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://www.benton.org/" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">Benton Institute for Broadband & Society</a></span>  marked the 30th anniversary of the <span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">1996 Telecommunications Act</a></span> with an event ‘<span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://www.benton.org/event/telecom-act-30-universal-service-north-star" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">Telecom Act at 30: Universal Service as the North Star</a></span>‘ in Washington DC. Policymakers, advocates, academics, and industry leaders convened to examine how the law, drafted at the dawn of dial-up internet, codified the national commitment to universal connectivity. Participants explored how the act has shaped today’s broadband landscape and what universal service must mean in the next era of connectivity.</p><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">01 Introduction</span><br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Senator Al Gore & Lily Tomlin (video)</span><br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Revati Prasad</span> – Executive Director – Benton Institute for Broadband & Society<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://youtu.be/4Ih2UY7_Meo" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">VIDEO</a> | <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/01_Introduction.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">AUDIO</a> | RECAP <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/01_Introduction.EN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">EN</a> / <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/01_Introduction.ES.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">ES</a> /<a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/01_Introduction.FR.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)"> FR</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">02 Keynote Speaker – Ed Markey</span><br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Ed Markey</span> – U.S. Senator, Massachusetts<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://youtu.be/hcna28d9O4g" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">VIDEO</a> | <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/02_Ed_Markey.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">AUDIO</a> | RECAP <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/02_Ed_Markey.EN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">EN</a> / <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/02_Ed_Markey.ES.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">ES</a> /<a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/02_Ed_Markey.FR.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)"> FR</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">03 How a Bill Becomes a Law</span><br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Katie King</span> – Former Special Counsel, Federal Communications Commission<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Chip Pickering</span> – Chief Executive Officer, INCOMPAS<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Gina Keeney</span> – Founder, Keeney Consulting<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">John Windhausen Jr.</span> – President, Telepoly<br style="box-sizing:inherit">Moderator: <span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Andy Schwartzman</span> – Benton Senior Counselor<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://youtu.be/tmOrP3QhT_Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">VIDEO</a> | <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/03_How_a_Bill_Becomes_a_Law.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">AUDIO</a> | RECAP <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/03_How_a_Bill_Becomes_a_Law.EN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">EN</a> / <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/03_How_a_Bill_Becomes_a_Law.ES.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">ES</a> /<a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/03_How_a_Bill_Becomes_a_Law.FR.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)"> FR</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">04 Best Laid Plans</span><br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Rachelle Chong</span> – Former Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Larry Irving</span> – President & Chief Executive Officer, Irving Group<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Jim Kohlenberger</span> – President, JK Strategies<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Christopher Wright</span> – Partner, Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Blair Levin</span> – Policy Advisor, New Street Research<br style="box-sizing:inherit">Moderator: <span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Mignon Clyburn, Former FCC Commissioner</span><br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://youtu.be/AHmokKQF4gU" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">VIDEO</a> | <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/04_Best_Laid_Plans.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">AUDIO</a> | RECAP <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/04_Best_Laid_Plans.EN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">EN</a> / <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/04_Best_Laid_Plans.ES.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">ES</a> /<a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/04_Best_Laid_Plans.FR.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)"> FR</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">05 Fireside Chat – Philip L. Verveer & Gigi Sohn</span><br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Philip L. Verveer</span> – Former Deputy Assistant Secretary and Ambassador, U.S. Department of State<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Gigi Sohn</span> – Benton Senior Fellow and Public Advocate<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://youtu.be/iMvOvizVnzk" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">VIDEO</a> | <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/05_Philip_Verveer_and_Gigi_Sohn.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">AUDIO</a> | RECAP <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/05_Philip_Verveer_and_Gigi_Sohn.EN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">EN</a> / <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/05_Philip_Verveer_and_Gigi_Sohn.ES.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">ES</a> /<a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/05_Philip_Verveer_and_Gigi_Sohn.FR.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)"> FR</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">06 Conclusion</span><br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700">Revati Prasad</span> – Executive Director – Benton Institute for Broadband & Society<br style="box-sizing:inherit"><span style="box-sizing:inherit;font-weight:700"><a href="https://youtu.be/mmRb49BGmcY" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">VIDEO</a> | <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/06_Conclusion.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">AUDIO</a> | RECAP <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/06_Conclusion.EN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">EN</a> / <a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/06_Conclusion.ES.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)">ES</a> /<a href="https://archive.org/download/benton-telecom-act/06_Conclusion.FR.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(29,66,137)"> FR</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.5em;padding:0px;border:0px;font-family:-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"></span><br></p></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">--</span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div>-</div></div></div></div></div></div><br clear="all"></div><div><br></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div>--------------------------------------<br>Joly MacFie  +1<span title="Call with Google Voice">2185659365</span> </div><div>--------------------------------------</div>-</div></div></div></div></div></div>