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FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks to Keynote CCA’s Annual Convention

Discussions on spectrum auction authority, USF, 5G Fund, and GenAI slated for CCA Annual Convention


Washington, D.C. – CCA’s Annual Convention travels this year to the Omni Amelia Island Resort in Amelia Island, Florida from September 9-11, bringing together leading voices in the telecom industry for discussions on the most pressing issues facing competitive carriers today. CCA’s Annual Convention is the premier event for competitive carriers and technology industry professionals, offering three days of educational sessions, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. This year’s convention features a keynote speech by Commissioner Geoffrey Starks of the Federal Communications Commission at 12:30 PM Eastern on Tuesday, September 10.


Following Commissioner Starks will be the keynote panel, "Perspectives on Washington: Navigating the Road Ahead," starting at 12:45 PM. This discussion will cover a broad range of regulatory, legislative, and legal topics of importance to carriers, including the impact of the absence of FCC spectrum auction authority and what steps the Commission can still take to make frequencies available; the latest on Universal Service Fund litigation and legislative activity; legal challenges to the FCC’s net neutrality rules; efforts to fully fund the “rip and replace” program; the future of the 5G Fund; the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision to scrap Chevron deference; and the effect that the fall elections might have on carriers. Speakers include:


  • Paul Kirby, Senior Editor, Wolters Kluwer’s TR Daily – moderator

  • Michael Prior, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, ATN International

  • Flynn Rico-Johnson, Policy Advisor, Wireless, Space, and International, Office of FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks

  • Bentina C. Terry, President and CEO, Southern Linc and Southern Telecom, Inc.

  • Michele Thomas, Lead Counsel and Vice President, Regulatory, T-Mobile


Immediately following at 1:30 PM is the highly anticipated session, "Generative AI Unveiled: From Basics to Breakthroughs." Presented by Mark Harms, Director – Client Technical Solutions, Award Solutions, this interactive keynote will explore the foundational principles and current status of generative AI; demystify concepts, explore various options, and highlight real-world examples; with time allotted for questions from the audience along the way.


“We are thrilled to have a great lineup of industry experts, including Commissioner Starks, joining us this year,” said Tim Donovan, President and CEO of CCA. “With topics like the 5G Fund and other deployment programs, shifting regulatory authority, and the future of telecommunications policy under the spotlight, as well as breakthrough discussions on AI's evolving role, this convention promises to be one of the most important gatherings of the year for our members."


For more information and a full agenda, visit www.cca-convention.org.


About Competitive Carriers Association

Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) is the leading association for competitive communications service providers and stakeholders across the United States. Members range from small, rural carriers serving fewer than 5,000 customers to regional and nationwide providers serving millions, as well as vendors and suppliers delivering products and services throughout the communications ecosystem. In 2025, CCA’s Mobile Carriers Show will be held April 14-16 in Denver, Colorado, and the Annual Convention will take place September 15-17 in San Antonio, Texas. Visit ccamobile.org and on Twitter, @CCAMobile #CCA2024.

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