2016-28708. Digital Economy Board of Advisors Meeting

AGENCY:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of open meeting.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces an open meeting of the Digital Economy Board of Advisors. The Board advises and provides recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce, through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), on a broad range of issues concerning the digital economy and Internet policy.

DATES:

The meeting will be held on December 15, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST).

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. Public comments may be mailed to: Digital Economy Board of Advisors, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4725, Washington, DC 20230; or emailed to: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Evelyn Remaley, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), at [phone] or [e-mail]; and/or visit NTIA's Web site at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/​category/​digital-economy-board-advisors.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background: Economic prosperity is increasingly tied to the digital economy, which is a key driver of competitiveness, business expansion, and innovation. Indeed, virtually every modern company relies on the Internet to grow and thrive. As a result, the Department of Commerce (Department) has made technology and Internet policy a top priority, investing resources to address challenges and opportunities businesses face in a global economy.

Last year, the Secretary of Commerce unveiled the Department's Digital Economy Agenda, which will help businesses and consumers realize the potential of the digital economy to advance growth and opportunity. The Agenda focuses on four key objectives: Promoting a free and open Internet worldwide; promoting trust online; ensuring access for workers, families, and companies; and promoting innovation. To support the Agenda, the Secretary directed NTIA to create the Digital Economy Board of Advisors as a mechanism for receiving regular advice from leaders in industry, academia, and civil society. See Committee Charter at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/​files/​ntia/​publications/​deba_​charter_​12222015.pdf.

The Digital Economy Board of Advisors convened its first meeting on May 16, 2016, to determine preliminary priorities and work streams. The Board convened its second meeting on September 30, 2016, and reviewed progress made on each of the work streams identified during the first open meeting.

This Board is subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and is consistent with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Act, 47 U.S.C. 904(b). The Board functions solely as an advisory body in compliance with the FACA. For more information about the Board, visit https://www.ntia.doc.gov/​category/​digital-economy-board-advisors.

Matters to be Considered: The Board provides independent advice and recommendations to the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary, on a broad range of policy issues impacting the digital economy. The Board's mission is to provide advice to the Department on increasing domestic prosperity, improving education, and facilitating participation in political and cultural life through the application and expansion of digital technologies. The Board's advice focuses on ensuring the Internet continues to thrive as an engine of growth, innovation, and free expression. The Department will use the advice provided by the Board to inform its decision-making processes and to advance Administration goals.

NTIA will post a detailed agenda on its Web site, https://www.ntia.doc.gov/​category/​digital-economy-board-advisors,, prior to the meeting. To the extent that the meeting time and agenda permit, any member of the public may speak to or otherwise address the Board regarding the agenda items during the meeting.

Time and Date: The meeting will be held on December 15, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST). The meeting will be available via two-way audio link and may be webcast. Please refer to NTIA's Web site, https://www.ntia.doc.gov/​category/​digital-economy-board-advisors,, for the most up-to-date meeting agenda and access information for the meeting.

Place: The meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. Public comments may be mailed to: Digital Economy Board of Advisors, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4725, Washington, DC 20230. The meeting will be open to the public and press on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited. The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals requiring accommodations, such as sign language interpretation or other ancillary aids, are asked to notify Ms. Remaley at [phone] or [e-mail] at least five (5) business days before the meeting.

Status: Interested parties are invited to attend and to submit written comments to the Board at any time before or after the meeting. Parties wishing to submit written comments for consideration by the Board in advance of the meeting must send them to NTIA at the above-listed address. Comments must be received five (5) business days before the scheduled meeting date to provide sufficient time for review. Comments received after this date will be distributed to the Board, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting. We also request that comments be submitted electronically to [e-mail] with the subject: “DEBA Third Meeting Comment.” Comments provided via email also may be submitted in writing.

Records: NTIA maintains records of all Board proceedings. Board records are available for public inspection at NTIA's Washington, DC office at the address above. Documents, including the Board's charter, member list, agendas, minutes, and any reports are available on NTIA's Web site at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/​category/​digital-economy-board-advisors.

Dated: November 23, 2016.

Milton Brown,

Deputy Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information Administration.