Explain to Shane

Myriad questions are swirling around telecommunications policy at the outset of this year. Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper are heating up the discussion surrounding Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet. The FCC’s ability to auction off spectrum is up for reauthorization on March 9th, securing a vital asset for the regulatory body to disburse. And massive sums of money are being made available for broadband expansion, but with serious uncertainty on how to effectively use it. But how can we safeguard good governance over the technology that enables us to communicate so easily over such great distances in these important moments? To help identify such strategies, we are joined by Michael O’Rielly, former FCC Commissioner, telecommunications consultant, and public servant.In this episode, Shane reminds us that “free” doesn’t mean no one is paying, that auctions matter, and that satellites are more than rocket science—among many other things. Tune in as they separate the signal from the noise on telecommunications policy!

Our devices, smart as they are, break on us, and often the only recourse outside of purchasing a new one is to take our broken tech to a licensed repair shop. But what if the replacement parts for such devices were more readily available or even set up for DIY repair? This is the supposed promise of the legal concept of the “right to repair.” It aims to give individuals the ability to repair and modify purchased products without restrictions from manufacturers or relegation to licensed repair shops. There is a dark side, however. What happens to the intellectual property of the device’s creators? How might third-party parts affect product security? What effects would this have on innovation and competition? To guide us through this debate, we are joined by Jeff Westling, the Director of Technology and Innovation Policy at the American Action Forum, as he draws from his recent article on the subject.In this episode, Shane walks us through how complicated this question is and what both producers and consumers stand to gain—and lose—as this debate grows.

We live in a world where the security that we enjoy arises out of more than just police forces, standing armies, or the weapons we equip them with. Today’s security lies both in the seen and the unseen—the defenses built around our online networks, data, and connected technology repel attacks every day. How are we to coordinate amongst international allies to combat such attacks? Is a culture of trust possible in the realm of cybersecurity? Where does the Munich Security Conference (MSC) see itself amidst all of this in the 21st century? All of this and more are discussed with the Vice-Chairman and CEO of the MSC, Dr. Benedikt Franke.In this episode, Shane walks us through just how important the digital element of international security is given the conflicts of today and those to come, how influential the MSC has been over the years in coordinating matters of security, and how the transatlantic security relationship will need to evolve.

What does it mean to gain tech influence on a global scale? How does America compare to China in helping the developing world get connected? What’s more effective: a tangible investment or a winning smile? Who is China eclipsing on the global stage? Technology, international security, and public policy have integrated over the last decade into something undeniable as a consideration when it comes to governing a modern superpower. In order to remain a superpower, it will require America to consider where and how it invests globally in international tech development and high-tech trade policy—and what that means for future trade relations. All of this and more are discussed with the Senior Vice President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), James Lewis. In this episode, Shane underscores the consequences of policy decisions, the necessity of further American tech investment in the developing world, and the dangers of superpowers resting on their laurels and not considering the long-term consequences.

China has invested heavily in the telecommunications and internet infrastructure of the developing world. In the face of that significant head start, how might Europe and the US team up to catch up in the 5G influence race? What has the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) accomplished so far towards that end and others? Are we heading into more of a Brussels Effect on tech regulation? What does good AI governance look like? All of this and more are discussed with the European Parliament’s Senior Advisor on Technology Policy, Peter Brown.In this installment, Shane walks us through just how behind the US is on 5G abroad compared to China, how dangerous emulating European AI policy can become, and how effective the TTC has been in considering both issues. The situation is a moving target, but between Peter and Shane, nothing flies under the radar.

What role has America played in technology development in the past and how has that role evolved? What effect has offshoring elements of our high-tech hardware manufacturing had on our cybersecurity capacity? How are these “instruments of national power” changing our calculus on the cyber balance of power? To what extent should the government intervene in augmenting our cybersecurity capacity? Where does the average citizen factor in? All of these questions and more are discussed with former US National Security Advisor, Ambassador Robert O’Brien.On this episode, Shane dives into our previously accepted notions of the determinants of international peace with fresh eyes and a highly decorated national security professional. Using the lens of cybersecurity, Tews and O’Brien chart a path forward given the state of play with China and our current semiconductor chip capacity—spoiler alert: we have quite a to-do list.

Why did American internet infrastructure shine throughout the pandemic compared to foreign networks? How might the executive branch best implement the massive sums of money going toward rural broadband expansion across the myriad agencies that touch it? What does leadership in broadband require moving forward? All of these questions and more are discussed with none other than the former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) itself— Ajit Pai.On this episode, Shane is joined by Pai, FCC Chairman from 2017 to 2021 and a current Nonresident Fellow on AEI’s Tech Policy Team, at a special live podcast recording to evaluate how the FCC has performed in the past and ways that it and all branches of government can do better by Americans in bridging the digital divide and maintaining worldwide spectrum leadership.

Will the Biden administration release a national cybersecurity strategy? Can federal agencies’ responsibilities be reorganized and redistributed among one another to increase our national cyber resilience? These and several other questions remain up in the air as cyber threats continue to proliferate.On this episode, Shane is joined by Jason Blessing, a Jeane Kirkpatrick visiting research fellow on AEI’s Foreign and Defense Policy Team, to discuss ways for both the government and private sector to establish comprehensive strategies for confronting cyber threats and combatting authoritarian influence in the digital sphere. They also discuss Jason's latest report, The Advantage Gained: Building on USCYBERCOM-NSA’s “Dual Hat” Synergy Model, which looks at the equities around sharing government data-gathering and information-sharing capabilities.

What are “microbusinesses” and why do they matter to our economic outlook? How can state and local governments learn about and help sustain these local businesses?On this episode, Shane interviews Alex Rosen, a senior director for GoDaddy’s Venture Forward team. Alex explains the rise of online microbusinesses during the pandemic, and how we need to capture these businesses’ importance and continue to foster their growth as part of the buildout of local economies. She also discusses the value that technological innovation has created for small businesses and shares lessons for policymakers who want to protect niche, tech-enabled markets. 

Domain name abuse is a constant challenge, as it’s the entry point for many online activities that are harmful to consumers such as malware, botnets, phishing scams, and spam. Protecting the domain name system (DNS) is a priority for security and stability, and creating an efficient way to track abusers is key to this mission. But what exactly does DNS abuse look like in practice, and how do we catch those who adversely affect the health of the internet’s vast infrastructure?On this episode, Shane sits down with Graeme Bunton, the inaugural director of the DNS Abuse Institute (DNSAI). DNSAI recently partnered with CleanDNS to create NetBeacon—a DNS abuse reporting tool that helps mitigate and process abuse claims. Graeme gives his perspective on the issue of DNS abuse and explains why tools like NetBeacon are necessary in today’s DNS landscape.