Administration’s Top Technology Advisers Attend 2010 Consumer Electronics Show

To demonstrate the importance the Obama administration places on technology, a contingent from the federal government is actively participating in this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show.  Top technology advisors, regulators and lawmakers are in Las Vegas this week to discuss and explore technology policies with the technology industry.  In attendance, among others, are national Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.  Topics expected to be addressed include technology, policy agenda, net neutrality and expanded access to broadband and wireless spectrum. 

"Policy issues are front and center this year at CES," said Jason Oxman, senior vice president of the Consumer Electronics Association. "Broadband capabilities are in more devices than ever before. It will be hard to find a TV without broadband connectivity at the show, and everything wireless connects to the Internet, so broadband and spectrum policy issues are very important to the industry."

In a related story, the administration filed a letter with the FCC calling for federal regulators to provide more spectrum for wireless high-speed Internet services, saying mobile broadband would bring competition to DSL, cable and fiber broadband providers.  The White House's technology policy arm and the antitrust division of the Justice Department said that the current marketplace for broadband Internet services is not competitive enough and that wireless Internet access could serve as a more affordable way to bring service to areas that are not connected.

"Given the potential of wireless services to reach underserved areas and to provide an alternative to wireline broadband providers in other areas, the Commission's primary tool for promoting broadband competition should be freeing up spectrum," the Justice Department said in its comments.

For more on the CES story, click here

For more on the Administration’s call for increased wireless access, click here