Our World in 2018

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• Encouraging innovation and
adoption of IoT within governments:
Government users/customers of IoT
– from Smart Cities to government
agencies – will be significant
beneficiaries of the IoT, but the
customary acquisition models are
often an obstacle.
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balanced pipeline of licensed and
unlicensed spectrum to keep up with
the growing demand for spectrum
posed by the IoT.
Recommended policy
frameworks for IoT
1.Governments should encourage
a comprehensive and consistent
policy framework. In any individual
country, this requires coordination
across the dozens of agencies that
could have a role in regulating IoT.
In absence of a well-coordinated,
low-touch framework, there is a risk
OUR WORLD | 2018
that duplicative and inconsistent
sector-based regulation will impede
growth of IoT – especially as we
look to industries such as food
and drug, aviation, transportation,
communication, and energy.
Government agencies should work
cooperatively with one another and
with industry to coordinate process,
streamline regulation and avoid
duplication or inconsistency.
2. Promote international,
interoperable policy frameworks.
Many IoT solutions will only reach
their optimal economic scale if they
can operate around the globe. The
economics of IoT devices are very
.
It’s important that manufacturers
can achieve scale, so they can “build
it once, use it everywhere.” Foremost,
regulatory policy must also allow for
cross-border data flows and allow
IOT providers to choose from a range
AT&T’s ‘Flying COW’. Exploring the capabilities of LTE-connected drones in the
wake of Hurricane Maria’s devastation will help temporarily restore connectivity
.
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of business models, including ability
for IoT roaming that is optimal for
their business model.
3. Support voluntary, collaborative
initiatives to promote consumer trust.
Government and the private sector
have a shared interest in promoting
IT.
industry deeply understands that
consumer trust in security and privacy
is a critical component of commercial
success.
As governments around the world
grapple with how best to address
cybersecurity and to promote trust
and security, it is important that they
engage in a transparent process that
looks to existing privacy and security
frameworks and standards that
support technological innovation
and growth that will ultimately lead
to better security. By collaborating
with the private sector and obtaining
cooperation and “buy-in” from all
stakeholders, governments can often
develop the best security policies and
can help ensure companies be vested
in developing highly secure systems.
4. Overall, adopt a light touch,
flexible regulatory regime that
protects innovation and facilitates
rapid market developments. Let’s
recognize ways in which IoT is
regulation to new technologies and
services.
5. Apply regulatory requirements
and responsibilities consistently
to IoT services on an end-to-end
basis. Rules should be technology
neutral and not single out individual
companies, sectors or business
models.
The critical goal for policymakers
is to address these issues in a way
that facilitates the progression of the
IoT to enable consumers, businesses,
and government institutions across
the globe to realize the economic
IT.
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