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Media Advisory 16-013

Learn about the future of wireless and the role of federal research investments

Washington, D.C., event brings together leaders from government, academia, industry and communities to discuss emerging opportunities in wireless communications

Wireless research testbed at Rutgers University

Experimenters can use the internet to access the wireless testbed at Rutgers University.


July 13, 2016

This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.

In the last decade, wireless usage has expanded dramatically, with nearly 350 million smartphones, connected tablets and wearable devices in use across the U.S. -- more than double the number from a decade ago -- carrying more than 100,000 times the traffic they supported as recently as in 2008.

Going forward, experts expect significantly more connected devices, with as many as 200 billion connected devices globally by 2020. As this internet of things emerges, the importance of ultra-high-speed, high-bandwidth and low-latency (rapid-response) wireless connectivity will only increase.

On Friday, July 15, the National Science Foundation (NSF), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will hold an event to discuss new, federal efforts that support advanced wireless research and innovation.

There, community, industry and academic leaders will discuss ways in which federal investment can spur growth in this critical area and the applications new wireless technologies will enable.

Among the factors driving the need for improved wireless technologies are the prospect of future smart and connected communities; vehicle-to-vehicle communications to support self-driving cars and increase highway safety; remote surgery and telemedicine to improve patient care; and immersive video and virtual reality content to enhance personal experiences and productivity.

Fundamental research and development on next-generation wireless technologies, along with important spectrum policy work being undertaken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will be critical enablers of the information technology- and innovation-based economic growth at the heart of the American economy.

Learn how federal investment will accelerate the progress of promising wireless technologies in years to come.

When: Friday, July 15, 2016, 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. EDT

Where: JW Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Media registration: The plenary portion of the event is open to press, but space is limited. Members of the media who wish to cover the event must RSVP by 4 p.m. EDT on Thursday, July 14.

Media availability: Principals from NSF, industry and academia will be available for interviews. Contact Sarah Bates to arrange specifics.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Sarah Bates, National Science Foundation, 703-292-7738, email: sabates@nsf.gov

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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