On March 19, the Free State Foundation held its Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference at the National Press Club. The theme of the conference was "The Future of the Internet: Free Market Innovation or Government Control?" Three panel sessions followed Opening Keynoter Rep. Greg Walden, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

FCC Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly spoke at the first panel which was moderated by Free State Foundation President Randolph May. They reacted to the Opening Keynote Address by House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden and provided their views concerning the FCC's March 12 order imposing Title II regulation on Internet service providers. They also addressed the FCC's decision to preempt state laws restricting municipal government telecom networks. (FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn was scheduled to speak after lunch but had to send her regrets because she was required to remain at the hearing at which she was testifying.)  

A video of the session with Commissioners Pai and O'Rielly is below.

FCC Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly at the Free State Foundation's Seventh Annual Telecom Policy Conference