Wi-Fi Alliance® on Capitol Hill

Wi-Fi Alliance^® hosted its inaugural Wi-Fi Alliance on Capitol Hill event in June, bringing together a variety of industries from silicon to consumer electronics and healthcare, for a day of outreach to U.S. legislators in Washington, D.C. Thirteen Wi-Fi Alliance member companies joined Wi-Fi Alliance executives for a full day of presentations, meetings, panels, and networking on Capitol Hill, advancing discourse on important topics shaping the future of Wi-Fi^® including the widely discussed and debated topics of Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G.

The morning commenced with a presentation from Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH), senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and founding Co-Chair of the recently formed House Bipartisan IoT Working group. Congressman Latta is a leader in spectrum policy, authoring the Spectrum Innovation Act and co-sponsoring the Wi-Fi Innovation Act, and is a strong advocate of more efficient utilization of unlicensed spectrum. The Congressman’s legislation aims to “pave a pathway to maximize the use of spectrum and examine ways to expand the deployment of wireless networks and services across the country so all can benefit from this next generation technology.” 

Congressman Latta addresses Wi-Fi Alliance members at the Wi-Fi Alliance on Capitol Hill event

Wi-Fi Alliance president and CEO, Edgar Figueroa, recognizes Congressman Latta for his leadership in spectrum policy

Wi-Fi Alliance executives and members spent the afternoon participating in small-group meetings with congressional offices to discuss Wi-Fi’s growing role in IoT and 5G, and to encourage forward thinking policy to meet emerging connectivity demands. Each company provided unique perspective on the immense value of Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum.

Wi-Fi Alliance members at the Office of Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI)

Wi-Fi Alliance members at the Office of Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2)

Wi-Fi Alliance Sr. Director of Worldwide Regulatory Affairs, CEO, and VP of Marketing at the Office of Senator John Thune (R-SD), Chairman, Senate Commerce Committee

This is an exciting time for the Wi-Fi industry as consumer appetite for mobile data continues to grow and new trends such as the Internet of Things and 5G are promising to change the way users experience connectivity. With immense growth comes an increasingly important responsibility to further Wi-Fi Alliance leadership in the global regulatory discussion. Wi-Fi Alliance recently appointed its Senior Director of Worldwide Regulatory Affairs and has been vocal in its support of the Mobile Now Act, Wi-Fi Innovation Act, and Spectrum Frontiers R&O. Unlicensed spectrum is more critical than ever, and the growing number of mobile devices and seemingly limitless appetite for data drive the need for spectrum availability – an issue for which Wi-Fi Alliance will continue to advocate in Washington, D.C.

If your company is interested in advancing discussion about spectrum allocation, access to spectrum, and new technologies that promise to influence the wireless landscape, please get involved in Wi-Fi Alliance!