July 14, 2011
The FCC currently allows access to Common Carrier microwave spectrum at nearly no cost. This pales in comparison to the cost of LMDS licenses that were distributed via auction. XO believes this policy not only lowers the value of these investments, but also creates inefficiencies in the microwave bands.
XO is urging the federal government to modernize the microwave spectrum bands to make certain these assets are being properly valued as broadband is deployed throughout the country. XO will review its position on its efforts to ensure market forces are in play whether through an auction – similar to what LMDS license holders had to participate in to win licenses – or the application of fees that will dissuade warehousing of spectrum and increase the value of licensed spectrum.
Widelity works with license holders to help them meet their substantial service requirements. Many license holders received extensions in 2008 and now must now make substantial service showings by June 1, 2012. Widelity will cover the options license holders have to meet the substantial service requirements by deploying services or constructing facilities that meet the FCC’s “safe harbor provisions.” Widelity will also review equipment and deployment strategies.
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Speakers
Lisa R. Youngers, VP, Federal Affairs, XO Communications
Ms. Youngers is responsible for all federal policy, regulatory, and legislative matters affecting XO’s interests before the FCC, Congress, and all levels of executive administration including regulatory and legislative strategy. Ms. Youngers also oversees the company’s corporate PR and messaging. Prior to joining XO, Ms. Youngers was Federal Regulatory Counsel for General Communication, Inc. (GCI), a telecommunications and cable television provider operating primarily in the state of Alaska, whom she represented before the FCC. Ms. Youngers also served as Federal Regulatory Counsel for MCI appearing before the FCC on competition policy, enforcement matters, and consumer issues. Ms. Youngers is a former Assistant Attorney General for the state of Minnesota where she served as legal counsel to the Minnesota PUC. A former television news producer, Ms. Youngers is a frequent presenter at industry events, has appeared on C-SPAN, and has been quoted in several publications regarding regulatory and public policy matters. Ms. Youngers earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and received her J.D. magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. She is a member of the Minnesota and District of Columbia Bars.
Patrick Thompson, Director of Legislative Affairs, XO Communications
Patrick Thompson has over 12 years of congressional experience; including time in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and now corporate America. He gained experience on Capitol Hill as an aide to Sen. Mike Enzi, R-WY, and also Senior Legislative Assistant to former Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-WY. Patrick most recently was Director of Legislative Affairs for Covad Communications. Patrick is originally from Redmond, WA, and graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Political Science.
Michael Lasky, Principal, Widelity
Michael Lasky has over 25 years of business management and consulting experience in the technology and communications industries. Prior to Widelity, Mr. Lasky was the Managing Director of the Stargazer Foundation developing products and services for emergency responders. Prior to Stargazer, he developed and launched PropertyChannel.com, a joint venture of Cox Newspapers, Tribune Company, Knight-Ridder and Advance Publications. Mr. Lasky also spent a number of years in television and satellite communications including time with Bell Atlantic Video Services overseeing the creation of interactive services, and managing the programming acquisition. He was VP of Programming at SKYPIX as well as the Director of Film Acquisition at Showtime/The Movie Channel. Mr. Lasky has an MBA from the Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cornell University.
About XO Communications – One of the nation’s largest competitive communications service providers focused exclusively on businesses, government, carrier and wholesale service providers nationwide.
About Widelity – Widelity is a professional services and business consulting company that provides a full spectrum of services to market, sell, design, deploy and operate communications networks.