First 100 Days: Building Our Connected Future
The technology and broadband sectors contribute to over one-third of U.S. economic productivity. But the technology and broadband-related policymaking and coordinating functions across the Executive Branch are often duplicative, non-strategic, and can lack effective coordination with the private sector. The National Economic Council and National Security Council were established to ensure close policy coordination across government in those essential domains. We need to do the same with respect to critical technology and broadband policy matters such as cybersecurity, infrastructure investment, next generation network advancement, spectrum, privacy and beyond—helping drive one cohesive rather than multiple competing national agendas, standards and investment programs.
Specific 100-Days Actions
- Undertake a strategic assessment of how interagency technology policy development and coordination can be improved and streamlined, starting with reconstituting the national cybersecurity policy coordinating function at the White House.
- Recruit individuals from a diverse cross-section of our nation’s innovation ecosystem—especially those with front-line expertise engineering, managing, securing, and supplying our nation’s broadband networks—to serve in key technology policy and management roles in the Executive Branch, as well as to important advisory councils, such the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, from which they have been absent.
- Immediately rescind White House Executive Order 13950, which imposes limitations on diversity training by government agencies and contractors. Stand with leaders across corporate America, including U.S. broadband companies, who are committed to embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion—and to developing effective and impactful training programs in these areas.
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THE BOTTOM LINE for First 100 Days Building Our Connected Future:
Broadband—and the work, investment and know-how of the companies providing it—has never been more important. Jonathan Spalter