The Consumer Technology Association® and WifiForward invite you to join us next Thursday for “From Garage Door Openers to Wi-Fi: The Value of Unlicensed Spectrum,” an event featuring remarks from Congressional Wi-Fi Caucus co-chairs Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA), and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr.
Remarks will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by J. David Grossman of CTA. The panel will include industry experts: Paula Boyd, Senior Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Microsoft; Mary Brown, Director of Government Affairs at Cisco Systems; and Robert Hoffman, Head of Government Affairs at Broadcom.
After the panel discussion, there will be a cocktail reception.
Unlicensed spectrum helps us work, play and so much more. From Wi-Fi to Bluetooth® speakers, it’s a crucial part of our lives and our modern economy. But what exactly is unlicensed spectrum, you might ask? Anyone can use an unlicensed spectrum band so long as they follow technical rules established by the FCC. Industry standards often prescribe further rules of the road to coordinate traffic. This framework allows devices using technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee and LoRa to run concurrently without harmful interference.
In emerging systems like those in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) bands, new technology facilitates shared access among three tiers of users: incumbent government operations, priority licensees and opportunistic shared users like schools and libraries that are permitted to operate wherever and whenever the spectrum is not in use.
Other resources include our infographic, Unlicensed and Shared Spectrum Benefits (2021); our report, Assessing the Economic Value of Unlicensed Use in the 5.9 GHz and 6 GHz Bands (2020); as well as our presentation, Spectrum 101: What You Need to Know About Our Airwaves (2021).
We hope you’ll do the reading and we’ll see you in class — with drinks to follow!
WHEN:
Thursday, March 3, 2022
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Doors open at 3:45 PM
WHERE:
CTA Innovation House
21 D Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
PROOF OF VACCINATION:
As part of our entry requirements, all attendees must provide proof of vaccination status and complete a health screening survey. We’ve partnered with Health Pass by CLEAR for a fast and seamless entry when you arrive. Simply start by downloading the free CLEAR app and following the prompts to upload your proof of vaccination. Use venue code: CTAIHDC
A green Health Pass means you’re good to go! Show it to the registration desk at check-in when you arrive.
Need further assistance with Health Pass? Contact CLEAR’s Member Care team directly in the CLEAR app, by calling 1-855-CLEARME (253-2763), or through email at memberservices@clearme.com. With CLEAR, you are always in control of your information. The FQ only receives confirmation that an attendee satisfied the requirements for access with the equivalent of a red or green result — and never has access to an individual’s private health data.
This event has been designed to comply with House and Senate ethics rules.