Articles, Op-Eds, & Blogs
Star Trek Tech: If Government Stays Out of the Way
In Star Trek, Captain Kirk communicates to his allies and enemies via a giant video wall on his space ship’s holodeck. Decades ago, those science fiction fantasy technologies seemed far fetched, but apps like Zoom and Apple’s Facetime have made real-time video chat a...
World Wi-Fi Day and the Value of Unlicensed Spectrum
The IPI policy nerd holiday calendar may look a bit different than yours but days like World Wi-Fi Day, which is June 20th, and World IP Day, April 26th of every year, should be part of your awareness, too. Why? These two days celebrate two of the fundamental building...
Congress On the Wrong Wavelength
The refrain that very little gets done in Washington is now common, likely because it is so observably true. Issues of importance to the country seem to be perpetuated rather than solved, and often not even addressed. Instead, Congress distracts itself with reality...
Congress Must Move Now to Reauthorize Spectrum Auctions
Tomorrow the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) auction authority will expire. Despite its obvious importance, for US global competitiveness and consumers, Congress extended the authority only a couple months when it was about to expireearly this fall. Instead...
IEI Signs Coalition Letter that Urges Commonsense Changes to Kids Online Safety Act
Read the Full Coalition Letter Here
The Year Of 5G
This year 5G has become more “real” than it has been before. Devices enabled for 5G are on the market as service providers cover the country with their footprints. An exciting tomorrow seems closer than ever! While “5G” sounds very tech-opaque, it is a broadband...
The Damage of Right to Repair
Across the country, states are considering versions of legislation broadly referred to as “right to repair.” Proponents tell, at best, half a story, demanding that consumers have the right to repair electronic devices, cars, and other products with a software...
Expanding Broadband in Texas the Right Way
On Memorial Day the Texas legislature sent Governor Abbott bills to expand broadband in rural and urban areas. The combined legislation would make sensible expansion of broadband faster and easier throughout Texas. So far Abbott has not signed them into law. House...
Analyzing the Biden Administration’s Tech and Innovation Policy Agenda
While it took a couple months for clarity to replace idle speculation, the Biden administration’s tech and innovation public policy agenda is increasingly clear. The forecast? Government with little chance of free markets. At his recent address to Congress President...
Closing the Laboratories Just as They Are Most Needed
In 1932, progressive U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis popularized a phrase regarding the importance of the U.S. system of federalism. As he wrote, “…a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and...