Bipartisan legislation reintroduced by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) would work to expand a globally interconnected network of technology and identify potential barriers to growth.
The Developing and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act resulted from Fischer and Gardner’s work on the bipartisan Internet of Things Working Group. The size of the so-called Internet of Things, the vast array of devices that are wirelessly connected to the internet, is forecast to grow to 30.7 billion devices in 2020, according to IHS Markit.
“The most important part of the Internet of Things aren’t things at all,” Fischer said. “They are people: the families, children, patients and entrepreneurs whose lives could change through connected technology. The DIGIT Act would open up the lines of communication between the private and public sector to help ensure our nation can seize the incredible benefits of this growing, global network.”
The DIGIT Act would establish a working group of federal entities that would be tasked with consulting private sector stakeholders to generate recommendations on how to prepare for, foster and grow the Internet of Things in the United States.
The working group would then report to Congress on private sector recommendations and current barriers to growing the Internet of Things, like regulatory silos.
The Federal Communications Commission also would be directed to assess what spectrum needs would be required to support the Internet of Things.
“As connected technology continues to evolve, it’s critical that Congress update federal policy to keep pace with innovation in order to keep America competitive,” Gardner said. “I look forward to working with Sens. Fischer, Booker and Schatz to examine the full impact of new technologies and find legislative solutions that will unleash the power of American entrepreneurship to create jobs and boost economic growth.”
Fischer and Gardner introduced the bipartisan legislation with U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Brian Schatz (D-HI).
“This bill underscores our bipartisan commitment to fostering innovation, protecting consumers, and finding tech solutions to some of our most pressing challenges,” Booker said. “I look forward to continuing our focus on the Internet of Things through this legislation and other means so that America can continue to lead the world in advancing cutting-edge technologies.”