SIA Presents Policy Recommendations to Advance Internet of Things

by Semiconductor Industry Association

From household appliances and wearable devices to cars and medical devices, many of the products Americans rely on are becoming “smarter” and better able to communicate with each other, thanks largely to semiconductor technology. This expanding network of physical objects connected by the Internet – known as the Internet of Things (IoT) – presents both challenges and opportunities for policymakers in Washington.

SIA last week weighed in on the policy considerations surrounding the IoT in comments submitted to the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA). In the comments, SIA recommends policies that “encourage the development of a robust IoT ecosystem that promotes key capabilities, including connectivity and interoperability, scalability and security, and complex intelligent analytics.” In addition, SIA calls for “tools to accelerate IoT adoption and enable cost-effective introduction of new technologies, including open standards efforts, targeted federal funding, and impactful public-private partnerships.”

SIA also voiced support for legislation that would foster development of the IoT, the Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act (S.2607/H.R. 5117). The DIGIT Act would create a working group to provide insight to Congress on how to encourage IoT growth. In March, SIA sent a letter of support to the bill’s Senate co-sponsors.

The IoT holds tremendous promise to bring about technological advances that were the stuff of science fiction not long ago, while also spurring significant economic growth. SIA looks forward to working with policymakers to advance initiatives that will strengthen IoT, the semiconductor industry, and the U.S. economy.