Explain to Shane

As the pandemic has shifted work, education, and entertainment online, there is a growing appetite in Washington to enhance broadband access across the country. However, some members of Congress and the current administration have advocated for ramping up broadband speeds to a symmetrical 100 megabits per second both upstream and downstream (known as 100/100). Where is the push for this new standard coming from, and what would it mean for the average consumer? Richard Bennett, founder of High Tech Forum and a co-creator of Wi-Fi, returns to the podcast to explain how 100/100 would burden consumers and fail to connect more Americans to the internet. He and Shane discuss Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan, the digital divide, and more on this episode of “Explain to Shane.”

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are gaining traction in states where regulations encourage advanced technology to ride alongside traditional transportation. But in areas where AVs are in everyday traffic, issues like driver safety and data collection are being watched by policymakers. For both innovators and lawmakers, there remain many lessons to be learned about the opportunities and challenges posed by this new technological twist on auto traffic.On this episode, Shane is joined by Grayson Brulte, co-founder of Brulte & Company — a Florida-based consulting firm that helps AV innovators develop and market their products. Recently, Grayson has discussed the future of self-driving cars with a number of state and local officials on his “Road to Autonomy” podcast, and has led successful AV testing programs in Floridian communities. He joins “Explain to Shane” to discuss the biggest barriers to getting more AVs on the road, and how both manufacturers and passengers should approach them.  

In December 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the feasibility of allowing commercial operations — both satellite and terrestrial — in the 12.2–12.7 GHz spectrum band. Doing so could expand broadband access and expedite mobile 5G network buildouts; however, incumbents worry that additional commercial activity in the band could potentially interfere with their satellite operations. How can the FCC ensure new use of the 12-GHz band while navigating incumbents’ concerns?On this episode, Shane is joined by two spectrum policy experts: V. Noah Campbell, co-founder and CEO of Radio Spectrum Access LLC, and Richard Bennett, founder of High Tech Forum and a co-creator of Wi-Fi. Noah discusses how both industry and the FCC can safely increase commercial activity in the 12-GHz band, while Richard gives an engineer’s perspective on what freeing up spectrum entails — in the 12-GHz band and beyond.

Facing a new law requiring social media firms to pay Australian news providers for their content, Facebook and Google had notably different responses. After expressing brief opposition to the new policy, Google was willing to comply; on the other hand, Facebook blocked all news content on its Australian platform for two days — though later reached a compromise with the government. Why did the two companies approach the issue so differently, and what will Australia’s law mean for the future of tech regulation?To offer first-hand perspective from “down under,” AEI Adjunct Scholar Bronwyn Howell joins the podcast from Wellington, New Zealand, where she is a professor of business and government at Victoria University of Wellington. In addition to her recent AEI pieces on Australia’s social media dilemma, Bronwyn writes frequently about global telecoms issues and overseas regulation of Big Tech. On this episode, she shares her insights on the regulatory dilemma Australia has unraveled — both for itself and the rest of the world.  

While stuck indoors during the pandemic, items we want — and sometimes need — are harder to locate. Web retailers offer a quick fix, but what if we need online tutoring, IT help, or athletic coaching? And what if we could offer our own goods and services in return? In an attempt to overcome the communication barriers of traditional barter exchanges, Josh Kline founded HaveNeed — an app that lets users pay for what they “need” with what they “have.” The app’s algorithm creates pairings and multiparty trade circles that were previously impossible to arrange, and employs innovative security measures to ensure fair transactions. On this episode, Josh joins Shane to share HaveNeed's founding story and his outlook for the app’s future. 

Data protection regulations must strike a difficult balance between individual privacy and cybersecurity. But what happens when a cyberattacker’s identity is masked in the name of privacy? How would existing laws in the European Union, United Kingdom, and India address this dilemma? What can proponents of federal privacy legislation in the US learn from these countries? On this episode, Shane speaks with Emily Taylor, CEO of Oxford Information Labs and an associate fellow of Chatham House’s international security program. Emily and her Chatham House colleagues recently ran a set of ransomware simulations to test how much (or how little) national laws on cross-border data flows would influence the severity, investigation, and eventual attribution of a cyberattack. She joins “Explain to Shane” to preview her findings and discuss the complex relationship between data protection and cybersecurity. 

Enabling data to flow between enterprise divisions and industry partners enhances our economy, but it’s important that user privacy is protected when the information being shared is about individuals. Data usage will thus continue to be a major topic in tech policy, especially with regard to newer products that use artificial intelligence (AI) to collect and transfer user data. If the US were to pass federal data protection legislation or a federal privacy law, what AI-related measures would need to be included? How can we ensure AI is regulated in a precise manner that protects innovation?On this episode, Shane is joined by IBM’s Chief Privacy Officer and Ethics Board Co-Chair Christina Montgomery. They discuss how IBM is working to ensure its newest technologies — including AI — handle consumer data in an ethical manner, and why the company supports “precision regulation” of AI under the next administration.

Undeterred cyberattacks on American critical infrastructure have increased urgency for improved cyber practices. Heading into the next administration, what can the US do to better prevent cyberattacks and impose consequences on their perpetrators? How do we ensure effective information-sharing between government and industry to thwart future attacks and curtail their potential damage?On this episode, Shane is joined by Mieke Eoyang, senior vice president of the DC think tank Third Way’s National Security Program and chair of its Cyber Enforcement Initiative. Mieke recently co-authored a piece for Lawfare called, “A Road Map for Tackling Cybercrime,” which outlines key cyber priorities and policy recommendations for the next administration. She also just launched a podcast titled, “To Catch A Hacker,” a true-crime podcast that chronicles how famous cyberattacks were solved. With inauguration approaching, Mieke “explains” how the Biden administration can move the US cybersecurity agenda forward.

As US industries turn to next-generation technology for real-time data flows and automation, demand for 5G equipment has fueled a wave of new job opportunities. What best practices can government and industry undertake to help this trend to endure? What spectrum management and regulatory policies will maximize 5G’s potential to create jobs? On this episode, Shane speaks with Michael Mandel, Chief Economic Strategist at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), and Sal D’Itri, Chairman of the National Spectrum Consortium and Vice President and General Manager, Public Sector for Federated Wireless. Together, Sal, Michael, and Shane discuss a PPI report Michael recently co-authored for the National Spectrum Consortium called, “The Third Wave: How 5G Will Drive Job Growth Over the Next Fifteen Years,” which gives government and industry a roadmap for building 5G networks and creating jobs in the process. 

Under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai’s leadership, the US is experiencing faster internet speeds, a healthy investment in the buildout of 5G networks, more efficient use of spectrum, and notable progress on programs to close the digital divide. Chairman Pai’s FCC has also implemented common-sense reforms such as lowering interstate prison phone rate caps and creating a new suicide hotline. Pai recently announced he would leave the FCC on January 20th, but his legacy will leave a lasting imprint on the agency. Specifically, he will be remembered for his innovation-friendly, light-touch approach to regulatory policy. On this episode of “Explain to Shane,” Shane and AEI’s Daniel Lyons hear from Chairman Pai himself on what lies ahead for the Biden FCC and how the agency has navigated complex issues like 5G, spectrum allocation, and Restoring Internet Freedom.