Miscellaneous

Reverse auctions can be an effective tool for reducing universal service subsidies and distributing them more efficiently, according to a new paper released by Technology Policy Institute vice president for research and senior fellow Scott Wallsten. The FCC’s action last Thursday capping the USF increases the pressure to find ways to do more with the available universal service funds. Reverse auctions are at the top of the list of available policy measures.

The Technology Policy Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul H. Rubin as senior fellow. “Paul Rubin is one of the country’s most talented law and economics scholars,” said TPI president Tom Lenard. “His expertise in the economics of advertising, consumer protection, and competition will be invaluable to TPI. He has been at the forefront in studying information and privacy issues in both the offline and online worlds. I am thrilled he will be working with us.”

Washington, DC – TPI is a think tank that focuses on the economics of innovation, technological change, and related regulation in the United States and around the world. Its mission is to advance knowledge and inform policymakers by producing independent, rigorous research and by sponsoring educational programs and conferences on major issues affecting information technology, communications, and energy policy. TPI was founded in 2007.

Washington, DC – iGrowthGlobal president Thomas Lenard today filed comments with the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) on the Midterm Review of the 2006 Joint Project Agreement (JPA) that NTIA has with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). NTIA is requesting comments on whether ICANN is making progress toward fulfilling its responsibilities under the JPA, and on the continued transition to the private sector of the technical coordination and management of the Internet’s domain name and addressing system.

Washington, DC – Economist Scott Wallsten will join iGrowthGlobal ( www.igrowthglobal.org) January 14th as Vice President for Research and Senior Fellow. In this capacity, he will help coordinate and supervise iGG’s research program and also conduct his own research.

Washington, DC – iGrowthGlobal, in partnership with the Global Information Infrastructure Commission (GIIC), Keidanren, Packet Clearing House (PCH) and the World Information Technology Alliance (WITSA), is sponsoring a workshop on “Qualifying, Quantifying, and Meeting the Challenge of Internet Access Costs” at the IGF meeting in Rio.

Washington, DC – iGrowthGlobal (www.igrowthglobal.org) announced today the appointment of Dr. Thomas Lenard as president and senior fellow. He succeeds Garland McCoy, who will hold the title of founder and chief development officer.