Alan Davidson, head of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, said his agency is taking a customer service approach to overseeing the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) initiative going to the states for broadband buildouts.

Each state will have a point person at NTIA to make sure stakeholders know how to apply for the money, Davidson said.

In a “fireside chat” at a Broadband Breakfast for Lunch event in Washington Wednesday, Davidson signaled that while the Biden administration has emphasized fiber, states will have the flexibility to use the money as they choose, as long as it is put toward the goal of getting broadband to the unserved and underserved. “We expect there will be flexibility,” he said. “Different states are going to run programs in different ways.”

The statute gives states that flexibility, he said, so it is not a one-size-fits-all program.

Connect Americans Now, whose members are pushing for universal broadband ASAP, but with the flexibility to look beyond fiber, quickly issued a statement praising Davidson.

“Connect Americans Now (CAN) commends Administrator Davidson for reaffirming NTIA’s commitment to ensuring states and broadband providers have the flexibility needed to maximize the positive impact, reach and cost-effectiveness of deployments targeted at eliminating the digital divide,” CAN executive director Richard Cullen said. “An all-of-the-above approach that prioritizes unserved communities will be vital to NTIA’s mission to make substantial progress toward closing the broadband gap.”

Different groups are calling on the Biden administration to use a technology-neutral approach to handing out billions in broadband funding as a way to make sure those buildouts can handle "differing levels of infrastructure as well as differing topographies and population densities."

In a February letter to Davidson, groups including Connect America Now called on the Biden Administration to use a technology-neutral approach to handing out billions in broadband funding as a way to make sure those buildouts can handle “differing levels of infrastructure, as well as differing topographies and population densities.”

The administration has been signaling that it prefers fiber buildouts. But the groups said everything from wired to wireless to fixed wireless to satellite broadband should have a shot at the money. That, they said, “allows for rapid deployment of broadband network solutions and maximizes the reach of government dollars in building networks and connecting consumers.”

A tech-neutral approach is the best one for several reasons, they argue, including that it gives providers the flexibility to use the most cost-effective approach, will help them deploy rapidly and will cut down on the likelihood of overbuilding incumbent providers, though the administration is anticipating some overbuilding will happen in order to reach the unserved while staying in business. ▪️

Elsewhere on the tech neutrality front, fixed wireless broadband operators represented by WISPA wrote Senate Democratic leaders to tell them that the best way that NTIA can further COngress' broadband deployment goals would be to let states determine what technology to use--obviously including fixed wireless.

"Where more solutions can be brought to the table, better results always prevail," said WISPA. ■

The Biden Administration has tapped a veteran public interest advocate, Sarah Morris, to be senior advisor at the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, the President's top communications policy arm.

Beginning next week, Morris, who has been director of New America's Open Technology Institute, will advise NTIA head, Assistant Commerce Secretary Alan Davidson, himself a former OTI director.

OTI said that its chief of staff, Chhaya Kapadia (CQ) will be interim director.

Morris' over 10 years of experience working for greater broadband access and adoption, including heading up OTI's Cost of Connectivity studies, will come in handy as NTIA oversees some $42.5 billion in broadband subsidies in the Administration's infrastructure package.

Also: NTIA: Closing Digital Divide Is Job One

Before joining New America, Morris was with public interest law firm Media Access Project. ■

Alan Davidson, newly installed head of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), has named two new top officials to the agency.

NTIA, part of the Commerce Department, is the president's chief communications adviser and oversees government-owned spectrum in the same role the Federal Communications Commission has with commercial spectrum.

Davidson has named April McClain Delaney, formerly Washington director of Common Sense Media, as deputy assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information.

Former Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mayor Andy Berke has been named special representative for broadband. As mayor, he oversaw a number of digital equity programs and led a partnership to provide low-cost broadband to low-income residents on various government assistance programs.

NTIA has a big role in handing out the $65 billion in broadband subsidy money in President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law. That money includes funding for digital equity efforts and to deploy broadband to homes on government subsidies.

Davidson was sworn in as NTIA administrator on January 14. ■

Washington stakeholders were quick to weigh in after a somewhat divided Congress approved Alan Davidson as the new head of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, including pledges of cooperation from FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel.

NITA, a part of the Commerce Department, oversees government spectrum holders, is the President's top communications policy arm, and perhaps most importantly in the current broadband subsidy cornucopia out of Congress, will oversee some $48 billion in broadband subsidies, mostly to the states.

“Congratulations to Alan Davidson as he takes the helm of NTIA at an exciting time for broadband policy in the United States," said Rosenworcel, herself a recent confirmee to the top post at that agency. "The FCC and NTIA have worked together as partners in the past, and I look forward to building on that history with close cooperation in the future."

Actually, there has been some difference of opinion between the two agencies, particularly over the issues of potential interference to aviation and automotive systems as the FCC promotes sharing government spectrum, or adjacent spectrum.

"Among other things, I look forward to working together on spectrum policy that reflects our national priorities and offering support as NTIA prepares to distribute the largest broadband infrastructure investment in our nation’s history," Rosenworcel said.

The FCC used to be the 800 pound broadband subsidy gorilla thanks to its Universal Service Fund (USF) ongoing subsidies program, but NTIA's profile has been raised considerably due to infrastructure spending's infusion of tens of billions of dollars in new money.

“We congratulate Alan Davidson on his approval by the Senate to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration," said Michael Powell, president of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. "Alan will play a critical role in overseeing the implementation of the billions of dollars of funding for broadband construction included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With the tens of billions of dollars dedicated to broadband infrastructure, America has an historic opportunity to accomplish universal connectivity but only if the funds are targeted where they are needed most and the program does not stray from its intent of connecting communities without robust broadband service.

"NTIA also plays an important role in advancing a balanced spectrum policy that serves the needs of licensed and unlicensed users as well as leading the development of a national policy on privacy and data," said Powell. "We look forward to working with Alan and the NTIA on these important issues and keeping America at the forefront of communications innovation.”

“With Alan’s extensive experience in the communications industry, we look forward to his leadership at NTIA during this critical time when the agency will oversee the most significant opportunity to close the digital divide and promote digital equity since the inception of the Internet," said Comcast chief legal officer Tom Reid.

“Charter congratulates Alan Davidson on his confirmation as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and as Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)," said the cable ISP. "Under Mr. Davidson’s leadership, NTIA will undertake significant efforts to help close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to reliable, high-speed internet service, and we look forward to working with him.”

"Mr. Davidson’s background as an executive at the Mozilla Foundation, an Obama Administration alum and former director of the Open Technology Institute means he understands how to pair good engineering with smart policy for the greater public good. We look forward to working with Mr. Davidson on crafting balanced policy that will fuel innovation and connect more Americans," said WiFiForward.

"[Davidson's] leadership on spectrum sharing solutions will help further public-private partnerships and growth for our dynamic member organizations," said National Spectrum Consortium chair Salvador D’Itri. "We look forward to working with Davidson and his colleagues as they advance smart spectrum policy."

"Frontier congratulates Alan Davidson on his Senate confirmation as Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration," said the company. "Throughout his career, Davidson has been a champion for open, affordable, and accessible broadband for all Americans, a priority we share at Frontier. We look forward to working with Administrator Davidson as he oversees the historic deployment of more than $48 billion for broadband deployment to ensure Americans have access to reliable, gigabit broadband service throughout the country."  

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, whose members should be getting a ton of work from the broadband subsidy bonanza, added its applause.

"NATE congratulates Mr. Davidson on his confirmation,” said NATE president Todd Schlekeway. “Thanks to the federal infrastructure law, NTIA is charged with distributing historic levels of funding for broadband deployment and it is very important to have a talented leader overseeing efforts to distribute this funding and closing the digital divide. Mr. Davidson is committed to these efforts and has pledged to ensure broadband funds are deployed properly and that broadband deployment is technology neutral. NATE looks forward to being a partner in these efforts and supporting Mr. Davidson in his role as Assistant Secretary.”

“We wish to congratulate Alan Davidson and his family on his Senate confirmation to lead the NTIA," said Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS, adding: "This is one of the most important public service jobs in broadband history. A bipartisan Congress united to invest a record $65 billion into broadband that has the potential to transform America’s internet future. Done right, competition policy will be the driving force behind these investments, as competition has proven time and again to be the leading driver for faster speeds and lower prices that save consumers money and help small businesses grow." ■

The Senate voted Tuesday (January 11) to approve the nomination of open internet advocate Alan Davidson, a longtime executive with Mozilla and Google, to head the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, but there was plenty of Republican pushback.

As head of NTIA, Davidson will be responsible for overseeing $48 billion in broadband subsidy money authorized in the recently passed infrastructure act.

The vote was 60 to 31, with the majority of Republicans voting against confirming him to the post, though no Republican took the floor to speak against him. Among the Republicans who did vote "aye" was Commerce Committee ranking member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), though Communications Subcommittee ranking member John Thune (R-S.D.) voted "no."

That vote came after an over-two hour cloture vote Monday (January 10) to advance the nomination to the full Senate for a vote, which signaled the vote would not be a bipartisan love-fest. 

Also: Jessica Rosenworcel Pledges Cooperation with New NTIA Chief

It also came after Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). chairwoman of the Senate Commerce Committee that had referred Davidson's nomination to the Senate did come to the floor to speak in support.

She said Davidson understands the public and private sector issues, with a wealth of experience in both. She also said it was key to have more coordination of the billions of dollars in broadband subsidies the Congress has authorized--some $65 billion in new spending--across various agencies and state governments.

Cantwell said that coordination, with the FCC and Department of Agriculture among others--would take a skilled hand, and would also take balancing affordability and access issues, which Davidson understands.

She said there was much work to do in leveraging all that broadband money, but that nothing was more important than getting broadband to homes and securing the grid.

NTIA is the President's chief communications policy advisory arm and oversees government spectrum holders much as the FCC does for private licensees.

Davidson has been senior adviser at the Mozilla Foundation, billed as “a global nonprofit that promotes openness, innovation, and participation on the internet.” Before that he was VP of global policy, trust and security with Mozilla, which was the lead legal challenger to the FCC’s decision under Republican leadership to eliminate net neutrality rules.

He is also a former member of Google's policy shop, heading up government relations in Washington for seven years. He is also a nonprofit leader, having been the director of New America’s Open Technology Institute.

"Alan Davidson’s confirmation brings a tireless public interest advocate to the fore at NTIA at a time of unprecedented opportunity across the full range of the agency’s work," said current OTI director Sarah Morris. "I had the privilege of working with Alan during his time at OTI and know that his commitment to promoting an open and accessible internet for all runs deep." 

Morris echoed Cantwell's sentiments. "His knowledge and experience will be a key asset to NTIA as it works to close the digital divide, improve management of the airwaves, protect digital privacy, and improve coordination across government on a host of other tech policy issues." ■

The Senate Commerce Committee has voted to approve the nomination of open internet advocate Alan Davidson, a longtime executive with Mozilla and Google before that, to head the National Telecommunications & Information Administration.

Three Republicans voted against the nomination--John Thune (S.D.), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), and Tim Scott (S.C.).

NTIA, which is under the Department of Commerce, oversees government spectrum and is the president’s chief telecom policy adviser. NTIA has been given an expanded role in the administration's multibillion dollar subsidy effort to achieve universal broadband service. To that end, NTIA has created the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth and the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives.

Davidson has been senior adviser at the Mozilla Foundation, billed as “a global nonprofit that promotes openness, innovation, and participation on the internet.” Before that he was VP of global policy, trust and security with Mozilla, which was the lead legal challenger to the FCC’s decision under Republican leadership to eliminate net neutrality rules.

In the Obama administration, Davidson was the Commerce Department's first director of digital economy.

He is also a former member of Google's policy shop, heading up government relations in Washington for seven years. He is also a nonprofit leader, having been the director of New America’s Open Technology Institute.

Davidson and FCC nominee Gigi Sohn had their nomination hearings on the same day, but there was no vote Wednesday on Sohn's nomination, which is getting some major pushback.

Also: Washington Players Weigh in on Nominations

“NTIA is about to be supercharged with $42.5 billion in broadband deployment funding and will be at the fulcrum of connectivity policy over the next few years, so this is a super important development as Washington, states and the connectivity community look ahead to 2022 and the (complicated) implementation of the infrastructure law," said USTelecom president Jonathan Spalter.

“The agency needs a leader with not just private and public technology experience (which Mr. Davidson has), but a bold vision for 100 percent connectivity and a commitment to getting this funding out the door and into the right hands. He has that too. Here’s hoping the Senate acts ASAP and Mr. Davidson can be sworn in and get the show on the road.”

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association also praised the committee's approval of the Davidson.

“NATE is pleased that President Biden nominated Mr. Davidson to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and supports swift action by the full Senate to confirm him as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information,” said NATE executive Todd Washam. “During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Davidson pledged to coordinate closely with the Federal Communications Commission to ensure broadband funds are deployed properly. NATE is especially gratified for his commitment to ensure that broadband deployment would be technology neutral.” ■

As it signaled earlier this week, the White House has sent the nominations of acting FCC chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn for seats on the FCC--Rosenworcel as chair--to the Senate.

President Biden had signaled his intention to nominate them--a renomination in the case of Rosenworcel--but the White House still had to make it official.

The Senate will have to vote, and hold a confirmation hearing for Sohn, before they can be installed in their posts and the FCC have a full complement of five commissioners and a Democratic majority.

The nomination of Alan Davidson to be head of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration was also submitted for vetting and a confirmation vote.

The confirmation hearings will be held in the Senate Commerce Committee. If everything goes as planned, the committee will refer them favorably to the full Senate which will vote to approve, which is expected.

If not, Rosenworcel would have to leave by the end of the year since her current five-year term has expired.

Democrats on Capitol Hill led the cheering from that vantage Tuesday (Oct. 26) following President Joe Biden's announcement that he was renominating acting FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel as commissioner and designating her permanent chair, adding Gigi Sohn for the empty FCC seat and to be the third Democratic commissioner, as well as his decision to nominate Alan Davidson to head the National Telecommunications & Information Administration.

“Today’s announcement by the White House of its slate of nominees for the Federal Communications Commission and National Telecommunications and Information Administration comes at just the right time, with more work to do to improve our broadband deployment, spectrum management, and consumer protections," said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. "I am glad to see Jessica Rosenworcel nominated to be the chair of the FCC, and I look forward to swiftly considering these nominations before the end of the year.”

“Jessica Rosenworcel is a star — supremely expert and experienced, steadfast and committed as an advocate for consumers and competitors," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a key member of the Senate Commerce Committee, where Rosenworcel once worked as a top staffer. "Having worked with her over many years, I know first-hand her energetic dedication to cracking down on robocalls and other abuses, and expanding broadband access. She knows better than anyone else the vital role the Commission plays in protecting consumers and closing the digital divide by connecting Americans to essential services. I am especially proud of her deep Connecticut roots as a native of West Hartford and graduate of Wesleyan University. I look forward to working with soon-to-be chair Rosenworcel as she continues her bold leadership of the FCC.”

Blumenthal was among the two dozen senators who had sent a letter to the president calling on him to name Rosenworcel permanent chair.

Of Sohn, Blumenthal said: "I also look forward to working with Gigi Sohn, whose decades of experience and commitment to privacy, competition, and access will greatly benefit the FCC and consumers across the country.”

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), formerly chair of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee, had high praise for all the nominees.

“Today President Biden announced historic telecom nominations, including Jessica Rosenworcel as the first woman to serve as permanent chair of the FCC and Gigi Sohn as the first openly LGBTIQ+ commissioner of the FCC," she said. "Rosenworcel and Sohn are brilliant champions for innovation, public safety, national security, universal broadband, net neutrality, and social justice.”

Eshoo was one of over two dozen House members who had urged Rosenworcel be named permanent chair.

“I also applaud the President for naming Alan Davidson as Director of NTIA, and I look forward to continue working together in his new capacity. Bravo to all of today’s nominees," she said, calling for quick Senate confirmation.

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), joined the applause, or perhaps led it alongside Sen. Cantwell since he is chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, which along with Senate Commerce has principal jurisdiction over the FCC and NTIA.

“I commend President Biden for nominating these outstanding leaders for the FCC and NTIA,“ he said. “With these selections, the FCC will be fully equipped to reinstate Title II oversight and net neutrality for broadband providers, continue its work to close the digital divide, and ensure broadband is affordable for all. Today’s announcement will also ensure leadership is in place at the NTIA for the important issues that agency faces, including spectrum management and implementation of the historic broadband infrastructure investment included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.“

He called Rosenworcel an exceptional choice and a consummate public servant, and Sohn a devoted public advocate whose career “has centered on ensuring that the public interest is at the core of the FCC’s thinking. Together, and with current commissioner Geoffrey Starks, they will make an excellent team.”  

Of Davidson, Pallone said: “[His] experience and expertise with telecommunications and technology issues will serve him well as the NTIA moves forward with critical programs passed by Congress.”

President Joe Biden is nominating open internet advocate Alan Davidson, a longtime executive with Mozilla and Google before that, to head up the National Telecommunications and Information Administration as assistant secretary for communications and information.

NTIA is currently headed by acting administrator Evelyn Remaley.

Also: Biden Renominates Jessica Rosenworcel to FCC, Gigi Sohn Gets Nod

NTIA, which is under the Department of Commerce, is the president’s chief telecom policy adviser and has been given an expanded role in the administration's multibillion dollar subsidy effort to achieve universal broadband service. To that end, NTIA has created the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth and the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives.

Davidson is currently senior adviser at the Mozilla Foundation, billed as “a global nonprofit that promotes openness, innovation, and participation on the internet.” Before that he was VP or global policy, trust and security with Mozilla, which was the lead legal challenger to the FCC’s decision under Republican leadership to eliminate net neutrality rules.

In the Obama administration — which is now referred to by the White House as the Obama-Biden administration — Davidson was the Commerce Department's first director of digital economy.

He is also a former member of Google's policy shop, heading up government relations in Washington for seven years. He is also a nonprofit leader, having been the director of New America’s Open Technology Institute.

Washington players weighed in on the pick.

Of Davidson, NCTA-The Internet & Television Association president Michael Powell said: “[He] will play a critical role in the design of policy that will promote continued investment and innovation in wired and wireless broadband networks — including the growth of licensed and unlicensed platforms — and in supporting Congress’ clear direction to build next generation networks in unserved and underserved areas.”

“[W]e congratulate Alan Davidson on his nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and as Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration,” said Charter EVP Catherine Bohigian. “Mr. Davidson has served as a strong public interest advocate on behalf of digital consumers.”

“NTIA is a central driver of the government’s overall connectivity work — touching the internet, 5G, spectrum, cybersecurity and, of course, broadband deployment,” said USTelecom president Jonathan Spalter. "In Alan Davidson, President Biden has nominated a person with a range of technology and innovation experience, and a perspective that crosses the public, private and non-profit spheres. We wish him luck in his confirmation and look forward to deepening our work with NTIA and the Commerce Department to bring the benefits of broadband connectivity everywhere.

“AT&T congratulates Alan Davidson on his nomination to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)," said Ed Gillespie, senior EVP at AT&T. "Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is putting together a strong leadership team and knowing Alan’s impressive work on policy issues in the past, he will have a positive impact on the Commerce Department’s ambitious agenda. We look forward to working with NTIA as it works on public priorities such as broadband access and adoption, 5G leadership and open RAN deployment, spectrum management, and public safety.”

“Alan Davidson occupies rarified air among Internet and technology policy experts,” said Matt Polka, president of ACA Connects, which represents smaller, independent cable operators. “As an experienced executive leader, he is ideally qualified to build and lead NTIA's team as the agency tackles critical priorities, such as administering funds for various broadband adoption and deployment programs and setting policy for federal agency use of wireless spectrum.”

Polka urged Senate confirmation “without delay.”

Samsung Electronics is committing $1.2 billion to U.S. research and project support for Internet of Things ventures during the next four years, seeking to accelerate development of IoT projects ranging from smart cities and consumer services to industrial and healthcare initiatives.  

At a Washington symposium on Tuesday (June 21), Samsung vice chairman/CEO Oh-Hyun Kwon also unveiled the "National IoT Strategy Dialogue," a consortium of technology companies that will address the upcoming Department of Commerce IoT proceeding and the pending "Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things" (DIGIT) Act in Congress. Intel is the initial co-founder, and the Information Technology Industry Council will manage the "Strategy Dialogue" advocacy group, which will seek additional members from the technology and communications sectors.

At the Samsung-sponsored “Internet of Things – Transforming the Future” conferenceKwon urged that IoT advocates put a priority on "technologies that connect each other." He urged that organizations should “start talking and thinking differently about IoT,” recommending greater concentration on "a human-centered approach, embracing the life-changing possibilities of the technology."

At the well-attended event, government and technology leaders offered a variety of perspectives on the evolving IoT infrastructure, which many expect will find its first major acceptance in enterprise and industrial applications, including "smart city" ventures -- a topic that many cable operators, along with other telecom providers -- are exploring.  

Speakers also examined IoT initiatives that will affect aging, education, agriculture, autonomous vehicles and other proposed application. But they also acknowledged that the coming years will generate IoT ventures that are as-of-yet unimaginable.

Alan Davidson, director of Digital Economy and senior advisor to Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, confirmed that an IoT policy "green paper" will be posted by autumn.

"We've seen something  that is a confluence of both technical capabilities and business imperatives and demand ... that will be qualitatively different," said Davison, who was formerly a top Google lobbyist in Washington. "We're very excited about what's going to happen [in] industrial IoT," he added, emphasizing that the "policy issues are a little less fraught" than in consumer applications. He added that he expects internal Commerce Department units will adopt IoT technologies quickly for uses in census, weather and other services, citing IoT's "ubiquity of connectivity."

Like many other speakers, Davidson emphasized the privacy and security hurdles in IoT.

"A lot of the bedrocks of our privacy approach are challenged in this area," he said, citing as an example "devices where people cannot click on a privacy notice. We'll have to be clever and innovative on how we give consumers notice and how we use data."  

Davidson also said that policy will look at "field upgradability."

"Do consumers even know that this is something that have to do?" he asked rhetorically. "It is challenging the traditional notions. We've asked a lot about [security]... We're keenly interested in these issues. It will be a big part of a paper we'll  put out in the fall."

Issa Challenges Spectrum Issues in IoT Rollout

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) focused on the wireless appetite of the growing IoT ecosystem and warned that current spectrum policy is not prepared for the onslaught.

"For the IoT to do what the Internet did, government has to recognize it's outgrown them," said Issa, a co-founder of the Congressional Internet Caucus and  chairman of the House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet.

"Government has been selling spectrum as a way of doing business and promoting business," he said. "We take billions of dollars from companies and we say we're doing them a favor ... when what we're really doing is balancing the budget on a hidden tax. Worse than a tax, it's a one-time sale."

"The Internet is available to all of us because we did not sell the spectrum of the Internet," Issa said. Citing unlicensed spectrum availability, Issa proposed that "every other bit of spectrum in a non-interferenced [sic] process ... needs to be opened up.

"Government needs to say that no spectrum is off-limits as long as it does not interfere with existing ... obligations. When those run out ... government [should] create almost unlimited unlicensed space. ...  That's the future of the IoT," Issa said.

"Those of us who care about the IoT going beyond anything described here ...  need to realize that infinite bandwidth available everywhere and monetized by self-interest  rather than by exclusive license is the future of the IoT," he emphasized. "Everybody pays their own way by creating/innovating a new product... that opens a greater connectivity to other products."

Alan Davidson, director of New America's Open Technology Institute, is joining the Obama administration.

Davidson (pictured at left) has been tapped to be senior advisor to the Secretary of Commerceand will be working on Internet policy and digital economy issues, the institute said.

OTI has been supportive of the Obama Administration's backing of strong Title II-based Internet regulations. OTI and the Administration are also in sync on backing passage of the USA Freedom Act, which would limit bulk data collection of communications info.

"The Commerce Department will play a central role in some of the biggest Internet policy debates of the next few years, and I am honored by this chance to make a contribution there,” Davidson said. Commerce's role will include freeing up government spectrum for more wireless broadband and transitioning the Internet naming and numbering function oversight to a multistakeholder model.

Kevin Bankston, OTI's policy director, will succeed Davidson as director. “Working with Kevin Bankston has been one of the great experiences of my tenure at New America,” Davidson said of his successor. “Kevin is a deeply committed advocate, as well as an energetic leader and deep subject-matter expert. I am delighted that he will be taking over as OTI’s director.”