Technology is part of infrastructure

As Congress considers an infrastructure package, it's critical to keep the needs of information technology in mind.

Last month, I was in Washington for an event organized by CompTIA, which advocates on behalf of the tech community. and I had an opportunity to meet with our elected members of Congress to make sure our leaders understand it is important to address the availability and delivery of broadband communications.

The Technology Association of Iowa urged Congress to include specific funding for technologies that will complement and enhance any physical infrastructure investments.

We support policies that improve broadband competition by encouraging and removing barriers to the deployment of high-speed networks.

We promote policies to wire more communities and to increase broadband adoption, and advocate for policies to make more spectrum available for both licensed and unlicensed use.

Specifically, we advocate for implementing incentives to encourage government spectrum users to share, sell or lease their spectrum.

The bottom line is any modern infrastructure should focus on improving and expanding broadband connectivity, using smart technologies to enhance public utilities, promoting cyber solutions to secure the nation's energy grid, and supporting smart transportation solutions to maximize efficiency and safety of our roads, bridges, railways and airports.

As we deploy smart infrastructure technology across the transportation, water, and energy ecosystems, we should not do so in a silo.

Congress should work to create an infrastructure funding package that supports core emerging technologies that will help to build, secure, and advance our communities.

Brian Waller

President, Technology Association of Iowa

Des Moines