A Strategy for American Innovation: Securing Our Economic Growth and Prosperity

This report is an update to the administration’s innovation report from September 2009. The report outlines the importance of investing in innovation to grow our economy, create jobs and win the future.

It begins by explaining the essential role of innovation in our past and future prosperity, the central importance of the private sector as the engine of innovation, and the role of government in supporting our innovation system. Building from this framework and the initiatives set forth in the first innovation strategy document, it charts the progress of our initial efforts, discusses additional steps implemented in the past year, and introduces important new initiatives. Key Administration priorities will improve America’s economic growth and competitiveness on many critical dimensions.

The Administration’s proposed Wireless Initiative will help businesses reach 98% of Americans with high-speed wireless access within five years and also facilitate the creation of a nationwide interoperable public safety network. The Initiative will substantially expand the development of new wireless spectrum available for wireless broadband, by freeing up 500 MHz over 10 years. Expanding new commercial spectrum is necessary to avoid “spectrum crunch” and facilitate the rapidly growing wireless technology revolution. The initiative will support advances in security, reliability, and other critical wireless features; accelerate wireless innovations in health, education, transportation, and other application areas; and engage community participation in generating and demonstrating next generation wireless applications.