Proponents of net neutrality are once again working towards imposing net neutrality rules and regulations over the Internet. The Internet has thrived in an open and competitive market to become a vital part of society and the global economy. There has been incredible growth in both the speed and quality of the web, largely because […]
Cloud First: Three Years Later
In December 2010, the Obama administration announced its 25-Point Plan to reform federal information technology (IT) management (the 25-Point Plan). As part of the plan, agencies were to implement a “cloud first” strategy when purchasing new IT systems and programs. At the time, there was much head-scratching about how this new policy would be implemented, and whether or not it would save taxpayer dollars and streamline federal IT programs.
Eighteen Years and Counting
On February 8, 2014, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 will turn eighteen years old. For most eighteen year-olds this is a major milestone in life. Gaining a sense of maturity; showing that one is ready to face the world. You even get to vote. However, for a law that regulates an innovative and stunningly evolving […]
India Bottoms Out on IP Protection
On January 29, 2014, the Global Intellectual Property Center released its second annual intellectual property index, rating how various countries around the world performed on protecting intellectual property (IP). The points were awarded six categories: Patents, Related Rights, and Limitations (7 points); Copyrights, Related Rights and Limitations (6 points); Trademarks, Related Rights, and limitations (5 […]
Opening up Wi-Fi to the Internet of Things
Over the weekend, a high school freshman printed a history report; a man researched job postings over the Internet on his tablet; a family watched a TV show on their laptop while waiting for an appointment; and, a woman talked to her mother on her home’s cordless phone. All of these actions used unlicensed spectrum […]
A Picture of Real FCC Reform
Even in successful industries such as communications, the government’s regulatory burdens have an adverse impact on innovation and growth. The cost of compliance is high and often passed along to consumers in the form of fees and additional taxes. On December 3, 2013, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) announced that the […]
TV Viewing for the Next Generation
Today’s TV viewing options are much different than when Congress passed the Cable Act of 1992. This Act was passed in response to cable television rate increases following deregulation, a lack of competition in the cable marketplace and the concern of broadcasters that their local stations would not be carried by cable companies. The law […]
GAO Reports Highlight Continued Deficiencies in IT Reporting
The federal government is expected to spend $81 billion in information technology (IT) in fiscal year 2014. Management and effectively monitoring IT investments is critical during this time when budgets are constrained by sequestration.
Freeing Up Government Held Spectrum
On December 11, 2013, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to approve a bi-partisan measure that would provide incentives to federal agencies to free up more spectrum. The federal government is the largest holder of spectrum below the 3 GHz range. According to the National Telecommunications and Information Agency, the U.S. government currently has […]
IP Summit 2013 Highlights Protecting Intellectual Property
On Friday, November 8, 2013, I had the opportunity to attend IP Summit 2013, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center. This daylong conference highlighted the importance of protecting intellectual property (IP) from counterfeiting, theft, and black market merchandising. When talking about the protection of IP, few understand the full breadth […]