DIGIT Act Reintroduced in Senate

The bipartisan congressional Internet of Things working group comprising Sens Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) has reintroduced the Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act. The bill was introduced in the last Congress, following up on a resolution that passed the Senate last March that called for a national strategy on IoT.

The bill would "convene a working group of federal entities that would consult with private sector stakeholders to provide recommendations to Congress." Those would include on how to encourage the growth of IoT, seeking input from the private sector to help prevent "regulatory silos." It would also direct the FCC to launch a proceeding on the spectrum needs of IoT. Congress has estimated that more than 50 billion devices will be connected by 2020 generating billions in economic opportunity. The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to convene a working group of federal stakeholders to advise Congress on how to plan and encourage IoT, including spectrum needs and the appropriate regulatory environment for things like consumer protection, privacy and security.