Space, telecom policy in national spotlight Nov. 13-14 in Washington, D.C.

"Space and Telecommunications Law and Policy: Looking Back at the Past Eight Years, Looking Toward the Next Four" is the theme of a conference Nov. 13-14 in Washington, D.C., where experts and policymakers in communication and space will hear and discuss legal issues and policies in the industry.

The conference at the Washington Court Hotel, is hosted by the University of Nebraska College of Law's Space and Telecommunications Law program, the only one of its kind in the U.S.

Telecommunications topics include wireless issues, network neutrality, international issues, broadband policy and universal access. Space law topics include the legal and policy aspects of government space programs and private space travel and tourism, as well as the launch and satellite insurance and the controversial issue of the International Traffic in Arms regulations as applied to space activities.

"There have been enormous changes in the space and telecommunications legal domains in the past eight years and clearly more are on the horizon. This conference brings together the best legal minds in these areas for a look back and a look forward," said Matt Schaefer, director of the Space and Telecommunications Law Program at the University of Nebraska and organizer of the conference. "In the space arena, we are entering a new era of increased private sector activity, and that means new regulations that will need adjusting and monitoring. In the telecom arena, we have seen a world move toward a mobile, broadband, multimedia, optical infrastructure and these new technologies challenge the law to adjust. Given the critical importance of space and telecommunications to U.S. national security and economic well-being, the legal approaches to new activities and technologies must be carefully considered."

FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein is a keynote speaker on Nov. 13 and Lon Levin, co-founder of XM Satellite Radio, is a keynote speaker on Nov. 14.

Each day's sessions will include introductory comments, moderated questions, comments and discussion. The first day is on telecommunications law and policy. Presenters on wireless issues will include Fred Campbell, president, Wireless Communications Association and former wireless bureau chief for FCC, William Webb, head of Ofcom Research and Development Unit and Terri Natoli, vice president of Regulatory Affairs, Clearwire.

Presenters on Network Neutrality include Marvin Ammori, professor of Law, University of Nebraska College of Law and former general counsel for the Free Press; Frannie Wellings, telecom counsel; U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D.-N.D.); Blair Levin, managing director, Stifel Nicolaus, and former chief of staff to FCC Chairman Reed Hundt; Markham Erickson, executive director, Open Internet Coalition; and James Cicconi, senior executive vice president-External and Legislative Affairs for AT&T.

The International Issues panel will feature Scott Harris, managing partner, or Tricia Paoletta, Harris, Whiltshire & Grannis; Ambassador Richard Russell, US Ambassador to the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference 2007; and Helen Domenici, International Bureau chief, FCC.

Speakers dealing with universal access and broadband policy include Jessica Rosenworcel, senior communications counsel, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate; Derek Turner, research director, Free Press; Sascha Meinrath, research director, Wireless Future Program at the New America Foundation; and Kathy Brown, senior vice president for public policy development and corporate responsibility with Verizon.

On Nov. 14 the conference shifts focus to space law and policy. The governmental space programs panel will include Jay Steptoe, NASA associate general counsel for international law; Deborah Plunkett, associate general counsel for international affairs in the Air Force general counsel's office; and Frans Von Der Dunk, professor, UNL College of Law.

The second panel of the day will focus on private space activities. Presenters include Jeff Rohm, division counsel, Boeing Space and Intelligence; Tim Hughes, general counsel, Space X; Marc Holzapfel, legal counsel, Virgin Galactic; and Laura Montgomery, senior attorney, FAA.

A panel on space risk management and insurance law will be moderated by Pamela Meredith, co-chair, Space Law Practice Group, Zuckert, Scoutt & Rasenberger, and include Philip Chrystal, director, claims and liability, aviation and space for Swiss Re, Zurich; John Cozzi, executive vice president, International Space Brokers, Washington, D.C.; and Chris Kunstadter, vice president, senior class underwriter, space, XL Aerospace, New York.

The final panel of the day will address one of the most controversial subjects in space regulation today, the so-called International Traffic in Arms regulations. Speakers will include Tom Moore, senior professional staff, Senate Foreign Relations Committee; John Ordway, partner, Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe; Mike Gold, director, Washington, D.C., area for Bigelow Aerospace; and Franceska Schroeder, principal, Fish & Richardson.