Obama puts focus on technology, promises more wireless access

President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union speech that technology innovation will be the nation's "Sputnik moment" and that the economy's priorities will largely rest on industries such as clean energy and high-tech. He cited companies such as Google and Facebook as examples of firms that blossomed thanks to free markets. But he noted that taxpayer funds had "planted the seeds for the Internet" and pointed out that government programs had led to the creations of computer microchips and global positioning systems. As such, President Obama said that the economy's future rests on doubling commitments to the nation's infrastructure. He singled out the importance of expanding wireless Internet networks, which he said should cover 98 percent of Americans within five years. "This isn't just about a faster Internet and fewer dropped calls," he said. "It's about connecting every part of America to the digital age."

The response to the speech was positive.

"The President said we will need to out-innovate, out-build, out-compete and out-educate other countries, and I couldn't agree more," said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV). "I'm glad the President focused on the need to invest in our infrastructure and encourage exports to create jobs. These investments are critical to American competitiveness and issues my Committee is hard at work on."

"Faster, more reliable wireless Internet service will unlock opportunities for American businesses to compete across the country and around the world while also enabling our students to access educational resources that otherwise would be out of reach," said Rep Ed Markey (D-MA). "The National Broadband Plan provides a roadmap for increasing deployment of high-speed Internet access. The President's call tonight for expanded deployment of next generation wireless service is consistent with the Plan and crucial for our country's competitiveness in the future."

"This Republican Congress proudly embraces the ideals and opportunity of American entrepreneurship, and we will look to our core principles as we pursue policies that create jobs, reduce spending, and shrink the size and scope of the federal government in order to expand individual freedom," said Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), chairman of the House Commerce Committee.

"Reducing the deficit, supporting free trade, attracting the best and brightest and investing in infrastructure and education are key to our recovery, and we support the President’s focus on these issues as part of his innovation-driven agenda," said Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association.

Benton Foundation Chairman and CEO Charles Benton said, "To sustain our economic recovery, our country must invest in the infrastructure that will be the foundation for free markets; lifelong education; improved healthcare; cleaner, cheaper energy; creative pursuits; a secure homeland; more responsive, effective emergency services; and an engaged democracy. Without doubt, broadband is a key platform for all these national priorities. In just two years, it is safe to say, President Barack Obama has done more to improve our broadband infrastructure than President George W. Bush did in two terms. Tonight, the President has renewed our national commitment to meet the great infrastructure challenge of the early 21st century -- filling troubling and persistent gaps in the deployment of broadband networks, encouraging adoption by people and businesses alike, and making the most of this powerful tool to further our national priorities. Our moment is now to revitalize the foundation of our economy and to regain our global competitive edge."