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The availability of the Internet depends on the structure and capabilities of underlying telecommunications networks. These networks in turn are influenced by government rules, particularly those of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The decisions the FCC will make over the next few years--including issues ranging from auctions for broadcast spectrum to the rules governing future landline networks--will have a substantial effect on the Internet.

To examine these and related questions, �����'s Center for the Economics of the Internet welcomed former Chairman of the FCC, Richard Wiley.

Wiley, Chairman of Wiley Rein LLP, heads the firm's 80-attorney Communications Practice, the largest in the nation. As Chairman of the FCC, he fostered increased competition and lessened regulation in the communications field. Mr. Wiley played a pivotal role in the development of HDTV in this country, serving for nine years as Chairman of the FCC's Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Service. He represents a number of major communications-oriented organizations, including Verizon, AT&T, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Newspaper Association of America, Motorola, CBS, Belo, Gannett, Sirius/XM, Emmis, Gray Television, and LG. Mr. Wiley is also a frequent author and lecturer on telecommunications and information law. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from The Catholic University of America, a LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and his undergraduate degree, with distinction, from Northwestern University.

Hudson Senior Fellow Harold Furchtgott-Roth interviewed Mr. Wiley and facilitated the discussion.