Economists have long recognized that technological innovation and enhanced communication increase productivity and reduce friction in economic activity. And never before has technology’s impact on economic growth been as evident as it is today.
At IPI, we focus on technology and communications policy not only because it’s critical to economic growth, but also because government’s inherent tendency to regulate prospectively poses an active threat to the economic gains and lifestyle enhancements made possible by technological innovation.
The communications and technology industries are among the country’s most competitive and the biggest capital investors in the U.S. economy, and are thus prime engines of economic growth and job creation. It is critical that public policy encourages continued innovation and investment in the tech sector, and that we don’t limit the innovation upside with counterproductive taxes and regulations.
The Last Acceptable Discrimination?
When did it become acceptable to propose and enact laws that discriminate against technology and its users?
IPI panel highlights bipartisan support for wireless service tax reform
Online sales tax reform may get all the attention, but there is another complex network of Internet-centric taxes that backers of reform say should be re-examined as well.
Speakers: Restrictions on Verizon, AT&T Would Complicate Incentive Auction
The FCC’s imposition of bidding restrictions on Verizon Wireless and AT&T, Inc., in its incentive auction would further complicate what is expected to already be the world’s most complex spectrum sale, several speakers said today at the Institute for Policy Innovation’s annual Communications Summit in Washington.
Cable, Industry Notes
Increasing the amount of unlicensed spectrum available for Wi-Fi use is "a major policy objective" for Comcast, said Executive Director-Regulatory and Public Affairs David Don at the Institute for Policy Innovation's Communications Policy Summit Tuesday.
Moratorium on Internet Access Tax Should Become Permanent, Say CTIA, Coalition
A moratorium on taxation of Internet access should become permanent, said CTIA and the Internet Tax Freedom Act Coalition.
Success of Incentive Auction Not Guaranteed, Say Speakers at IPI Conference
Broadcast lawyer John Hane warned that the incentive auction could fail if the FCC doesn't get things right. "There are many, many, many paths to failure and only a fairly narrow set of paths to success," said Hane of Pillsbury Winthrop during a panel at an Institute for Policy Innovation conference.
Transforming Everything--Even How We Watch Football Games
The communications revolution is changing everything—including how guys watch football games. Even monitoring their blood pressure if their team lets them down.
Health IT Integration for Medicaid Would Reduce Spending, Boost Access, Quality
States facing Medicaid challenges should integrate mobile phones and other existing technologies to increase access to care, lower costs and improve health care quality for Medicaid beneficiaries, says a new IPI publication, “Reforming Medicaid with Technology.”
Reforming Medicaid with Technology
Every state is struggling to find ways to reform and improve Medicaid. Most of them are overlooking an important option: Integrating technology into Medicaid could increase access, lower costs and improve the quality of care.
Make it Permanent
Congress has a clear choice: Make complete and permanent the ban on Internet access and multiple or discriminatory taxes online, encouraging broadband access and e-commerce, or turn away from that national priority and allow the pro-tax thugs the chance to loot our digital future.