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This week marks another important step in what has been a busy year in policy developments for autonomous and connected vehicles. On Tuesday, the Senate Commerce Committee will hold its first hearing exclusively focused on self-driving cars. This comes on the heels of several recent, noteworthy actions in this space: The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that it will update its 2013 guidance [...]
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From smartphones to household appliances to cars, today's world is hungry for connectivity to a degree that is outpacing our broadband infrastructure. Last week, the Senate Commerce Committee approved legislation that will make key improvements in the U.S. innovation ecosystem. Sponsored by Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) and ranking member Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), the MOBILE NOW Act (S. 2555), if enacted, [...]
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Previously I wrote that 2015 was predicted to be a year of gridlock, and yet despite deep partisanship in the nation’s capital, the tech sector saw several of our priorities passed into law. If lawmakers and the President build on that momentum, there are a number of priorities Congress could address this year to propel the growth and ingenuity of the tech sector and our economy, including: Judicial [...]
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It is not an exaggeration to say that spectrum–the radio frequencies that connect wireless devices–is the lifeblood of many ITI companies. Our membership spans wireless and network equipment manufacturers, device and mobile hardware companies, and service and software providers, all of which provide mobile and wireless technologies. That is why we welcome a new spectrum discussion draft bill, the “MOBILE [...]
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It is safe to say Internet of Things (IoT) fascination has gripped Washington’s attention. Over the past year, there have been no fewer than six congressional hearings and the launch of the Congressional Caucus on Internet of Things (IoT). It seems there is a large IoT forum taking place somewhere in the nation’s capital on an almost weekly basis. We welcome policymakers’ interest in IoT, and look [...]
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All over the world, smart technologies are revolutionizing urban life. They are making cities more livable (safer, healthier, more convenient, and more vibrant), more workable (more mobile, competitive, and innovative), and more sustainable (more energy efficient, resilient, and renewable). Ultimately, cities will become horizontal "Internet of Things” (IoT) platforms where individual applications [...]
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The Internet of Things (IoT) is an amazing new revolution in technology that connects everyday objects that are not traditionally connected to the internet. This week, ITI’s Dean Garfield emceed a great @Microsoft conversation entitled “Powering 21st Century Cities with the Internet of Things.” The panel discussed how IoT presents an immense opportunity to transform the ability of cities to offer new [...]
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As the new Congress begins the “First 100 Days” in earnest, the new Republican majorities, Democratic lawmakers, and the President are in search of areas for bipartisan agreement. Updating the 28-year old Electronic Communications Privacy Act, or ECPA, is fertile common ground for bipartisanship. Bringing this law up to date is an effort broadly supported across political aisles and ideologies and [...]
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This week, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly convened a dialogue on the ENERGY STAR® program that has reaffirmed the benefits that strong and focused public-private cooperation can generate. The groundwork that was laid this week could evolve the ENERGY STAR program to achieve greater energy savings with significant benefits [...]
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There’s no question that the revelations about U.S. government data collection and surveillance programs threaten the innovative vitality of the global digital economy, which means the restoration of public trust both in the U.S. government and the tech community is critical. At ITI, we have been working with the Obama Administration and leading members of Congress, and offering our recommendations [...]