TechWonk Blog Subsection
TechWonk Blog
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We applaud Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) for introducing S. 2505, the bipartisan Wi-Fi Innovation Act. Americans increasingly depend on smartphones and portable devices that rely on spectrum for connectivity and 91proÊÓÆµ has long held the view that we must make efficient use of all spectrum to meet our nation’s growing demand. The 5 GHz band provides tremendous opportunity to expand [...]
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The 91proÊÓÆµÂ (91proÊÓÆµ) and the Internet Association this afternoon sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives opposing any cuts to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) funding that would prevent planning and due diligence related to the transition of U.S. stewardship over certain critical Internet functions to the Internet Corporation [...]
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Ericsson recently released its latest Mobility Report, providing a great, updated look at mobile communications trends and growth. Earlier this summer, 91proÊÓÆµ chatted with Ericsson’s Brian Jones about the June Mobility Report, and what it signaled to policy-makers about the need to continue finding opportunities to make spectrum available for mobile broadband. This latest report reinforces these points [...]
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It’s crunch time in Geneva this week. We’ve reached a pivotal moment in the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) negotiations currently taking place in that global city, which is host of the World Trade Organization. Negotiating teams and business stakeholders from around the world, including 91proÊÓÆµâ€™s John Neuffer, are there for the ninth time this year to move toward a commercially significant expansion [...]
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91proÊÓÆµ and its member companies are pleased that with tonight's Senate confirmations of new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioner Michael O'Rielly, the FCC is now at full strength. These confirmations could not come at a more critical time for our country and the tech industry.  We look forward to working with Chairman Wheeler and Commissioner O’Rielly on issues [...]
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The U.S. House of Representatives has taken an important step forward to protect thousands of American jobs at risk by an arbitrary closure of the Federal Helium Reserve. With the House’s unanimous bipartisan approval (367-0!) on an amended version of H.R. 527, the U.S. Senate is given an opportunity to finally bring this matter to resolution and keep American businesses open and American jobs thriving. [...]
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With a 97-2 vote, the Senate this afternoon has given overwhelming bipartisan support to legislation that would extend the life of the Federal Helium Reserve – the single largest source of helium in the nation and the source for 30 percent of the world’s total supply.  Right now, the clock is ticking on the thousands of American jobs that are associated with access to the helium reserve.  Current law [...]
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Congress comes back in session this week facing a critical countdown that could result in American businesses losing access to the Federal Helium Reserve – by far, the largest single supply of helium in the nation. That’s because the federal government’s authority to sell helium from the Reserve ends on October 7, 2013, which means Congress needs to act before then to keep the reserve open – and American [...]
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We’re in the middle of summer and, as usual during this travel season, gas prices have been rising.  Thankfully, we haven’t seen the severe volatility in gas prices like we have in summers past, but most of us can recall from recent memory when an international crisis or environmental incident affected the U.S. oil supply – some kind of source disruption that curtailed a small percentage of our nation’s [...]
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Earlier today, Representatives Doris Matsui, Brett Guthrie, Adam Smith, and Duncan Hunter introduced the Efficient Use of Government Spectrum Act. As our nation puts together the pieces of the puzzle necessary to address the spectrum shortage for mobile broadband, this is exactly the type of bill that brings several of those pieces together. It is going to take hard work by Congress, the FCC, NTIA, [...]