The federal government is open.  But less than three weeks remain under the current reprieve and another shutdown seems possible.  Although the Federal Communications Commission tapped on-hand fees to support uninterrupted operations earlier this week, the FCC will start to run out of time – and money – if the stalemate over the budget continues and another shutdown occurs.

How would a protracted shutdown affect the technology, media and telecom industries and the billions of dollars of investment that depend on regulatory action by the FCC?  How soon before Samsung and Apple face launch delays for products that need FCC approval to enter the market?  When will GoPro, Nintendo, Tile, Roku and other consumer electronics makers start to see product delays?  Will wireless emergency alerts continue to be available?  And will a shutdown affect the nation’s bid in the global race for leadership in the deployment of advanced, fifth-generation wireless networks?  These are just some of the questions as the technology, media and telecom sectors confront the possibility of an extended period of time without a functioning regulator.