82 FR 4313 - The Benefits, Challenges, and Potential Roles for the Government in Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of Things
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 9 (January 13, 2017)
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 9 (January 13, 2017)
| Page Range | 4313-4314 | |
| FR Document | 2017-00720 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 4313-4314] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-00720] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration [Docket No. 170105023-7023-01] RIN 0660-XC033 The Benefits, Challenges, and Potential Roles for the Government in Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of Things AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice, request for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Recognizing the vital importance of the Internet to U.S. innovation, prosperity, education, and civic and cultural life, the Department of Commerce (Department) has made it a top priority to encourage growth of the digital economy and ensure that the Internet remains an open platform for innovation. Thus, as part of the Department's Digital Economy Agenda, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a green paper ``Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of Things'' that lays out an approach and areas of engagement for the Department's possible future work on the Internet of Things (IoT). Through this Notice, NTIA seeks broad input from all interested stakeholders--including the private industry, researchers, academia, and civil society--on the issues and proposed approach, current initiatives, and next steps laid out in this paper. These comments will help inform Department leadership on possible future Department action regarding IoT. DATES: Comments are due on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on February 27, 2017. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by email to [email protected]. Comments submitted by email should be machine- readable and should not be copy-protected. Written comments also may be submitted by mail to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4725, Attn: IOT RFC 2017, Washington, DC 20230. Responders should include the name of the person or organization filing the comment, as well as a page number on each page of their submissions. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted on the NTIA Web site, http://www.ntia.doc.gov/, without change. All personal identifying information (for example, name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NTIA will accept anonymous comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Travis Hall, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4725, Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-3522; email [email protected]. Please direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482- 7002, or at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: As part of the Department's Digital Economy Agenda, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is requesting comment on the benefits, challenges, and potential roles for the government in fostering the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT). The Internet of Things--in which connected devices are proliferating at an unprecedented rate--is transforming the way we live and do business. IoT continues the decades-long trend of increasing connectivity among devices and the Internet, bringing online everything from refrigerators to automobiles to factory inventory systems. At the same time, IoT encompasses a widening scope of industries and activities and a vastly increasing scale and number of devices being connected, thus raising the stakes and impacts of broad connectivity. Due to its expertise and experience with the issues raised by IoT, as well as its economy-wide perspective, the Department is well placed to meet the challenges of IoT and to champion the development of a robust IoT environment that benefits consumers, the economy, and society as a whole. With an April 2016 Request for Comment, ``The Benefits, Challenges, and Potential Roles for the Government in Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of Things,'' the Department sought to review the current technological and policy landscape relating to IoT.\1\ A broad array of stakeholders--from the private sector, academia, government, and civil society--offered perspectives in response to the request.\2\ In September 2016, the Department hosted a workshop to delve deeper into the questions raised by the Request for Comment, and to explore some of the related issues arising from the public comments.\3\ The Department issued a green paper entitled ``Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of Things,'' which represents the Department's analysis of those comments.\4\ The green paper also identifies key issues that can impact the deployment of IoT technologies, highlights potential benefits and challenges, and discusses what role, if any, the U.S. Government, particularly the Department, should play in this evolving landscape. With this Request for Comment, the Department is asking for a response to the issues raised by the green paper, as well as the proposed approach, current initiatives, and next steps. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Request for Comments on the Benefits, Challenges, and Potential Roles for the Government in Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of Things, 81 FR 19956 (April 16, 2016), available at https://ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2016/rfc-potential-roles-government-fostering-advancement-internet-of-things. \2\ All comments are publicly available at: https://ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2016/comments-potential-roles-government-fostering-advancement-internet-of-things. \3\ ``Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of Things Workshop Webcast,'' September 1, 2016, available at https://ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/09012016-fostering-advancement-internet-things-workshop-webcast (In addition to the webcast, also available are the Workshop agenda, transcript, and various presentations). \4\ The IOT green paper is available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2017/green-paper-fostering-advancement-internet-things. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 4314]] Request for Comment Instructions for Commenters: The Department invites comment on the full range of issues that may be presented by this inquiry, including issues that are not specifically raised in the following questions. Commenters are encouraged to address any or all of the following questions. Comments that contain references to studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should include copies of the referenced materials with the submitted comments. (1) Is our discussion of IoT presented in the green paper regarding the challenges, benefits, and potential role of government accurate and/or complete? Are there issues that we missed, or that we need to reconsider? (2) Is the approach for Departmental action to advance the Internet of Things comprehensive in the areas of engagement? Where does the approach need improvement? (3) Are there specific tasks that the Department should engage in that are not covered by the approach? (4) What should the next steps be for the Department in fostering the advancement of IoT? For any response, commenters may wish to consider describing specific goals or actions that the Department, or the U.S. Government in general, might take (on its own or in conjunction with the private sector) to achieve those goals; the benefits and costs associated with the action; whether the proposal is agency-specific or interagency; the rationale and evidence to support it; and the roles of other stakeholders. Dated: January 10, 2017. Kathy D. Smith, Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information Administration. [FR Doc. 2017-00720 Filed 1-12-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-60-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 9 / Friday, January 13, 2017 / Notices 4313
property complementing the use of stakeholders—including the private everything from refrigerators to
existing rights-of-way or real property industry, researchers, academia, and automobiles to factory inventory
use for use by vehicles (not to include civil society—on the issues and systems. At the same time, IoT
significant increases in vehicle loading); proposed approach, current initiatives, encompasses a widening scope of
electrical, telephone, and other and next steps laid out in this paper. industries and activities and a vastly
transmission and communication lines; These comments will help inform increasing scale and number of devices
water, wastewater, stormwater, and Department leadership on possible being connected, thus raising the stakes
irrigation pipelines, pumping stations, future Department action regarding IoT. and impacts of broad connectivity. Due
and facilities; and similar utility and DATES: Comments are due on or before to its expertise and experience with the
transportation uses.’’ 5 p.m. Eastern Time on February 27, issues raised by IoT, as well as its
[H6.] ‘‘Relocation of employees into 2017. economy-wide perspective, the
existing Federally-owned or Department is well placed to meet the
commercially leased office space within ADDRESSES: Written comments may be challenges of IoT and to champion the
the same metropolitan area not submitted by email to iotrfc2017@ development of a robust IoT
involving a substantial increase in the ntia.doc.gov. Comments submitted by environment that benefits consumers,
number of motor or other vehicles at a email should be machine-readable and the economy, and society as a whole.
facility.’’ should not be copy-protected. Written With an April 2016 Request for
[H7.] ‘‘Transferring real property to a comments also may be submitted by Comment, ‘‘The Benefits, Challenges,
non-Federal entity, an agency other than mail to the National and Potential Roles for the Government
GSA, as well as to States, local agencies Telecommunications and Information in Fostering the Advancement of the
and Indian Tribes, including return of Administration, U.S. Department of Internet of Things,’’ the Department
public domain lands to the Department Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue sought to review the current
of the Interior.’’ NW., Room 4725, Attn: IOT RFC 2017, technological and policy landscape
Washington, DC 20230. Responders relating to IoT.1 A broad array of
Dated: January 6, 2017. should include the name of the person
Lois J. Schiffer, stakeholders—from the private sector,
or organization filing the comment, as academia, government, and civil
General Counsel for the National Oceanic well as a page number on each page of
and Atmospheric Administration. society—offered perspectives in
their submissions. All comments response to the request.2 In September
[FR Doc. 2017–00553 Filed 1–12–17; 8:45 am] received are a part of the public record 2016, the Department hosted a
BILLING CODE 3510–12–P and will generally be posted on the workshop to delve deeper into the
NTIA Web site, http://www. questions raised by the Request for
ntia.doc.gov/, without change. All Comment, and to explore some of the
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE personal identifying information (for related issues arising from the public
example, name, address) voluntarily comments.3 The Department issued a
National Telecommunications and
submitted by the commenter may be green paper entitled ‘‘Fostering the
Information Administration
publicly accessible. Do not submit Advancement of the Internet of Things,’’
[Docket No. 170105023–7023–01] confidential business information or which represents the Department’s
RIN 0660–XC033
otherwise sensitive or protected analysis of those comments.4 The green
information. NTIA will accept paper also identifies key issues that can
The Benefits, Challenges, and anonymous comments. impact the deployment of IoT
Potential Roles for the Government in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: technologies, highlights potential
Fostering the Advancement of the Travis Hall, National benefits and challenges, and discusses
Internet of Things Telecommunications and Information what role, if any, the U.S. Government,
Administration, U.S. Department of particularly the Department, should
AGENCY: National Telecommunications Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
and Information Administration, U.S. play in this evolving landscape. With
NW., Room 4725, Washington, DC this Request for Comment, the
Department of Commerce. 20230; telephone (202) 482–3522; email Department is asking for a response to
ACTION: Notice, request for public thall@ntia.doc.gov. Please direct media the issues raised by the green paper, as
comment. inquiries to NTIA’s Office of Public well as the proposed approach, current
SUMMARY: Recognizing the vital Affairs, (202) 482–7002, or at press@ initiatives, and next steps.
importance of the Internet to U.S. ntia.doc.gov.
1 Request for Comments on the Benefits,
innovation, prosperity, education, and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Challenges, and Potential Roles for the Government
civic and cultural life, the Department Background: As part of the in Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of
of Commerce (Department) has made it Department’s Digital Economy Agenda, Things, 81 FR 19956 (April 16, 2016), available at
a top priority to encourage growth of the the National Telecommunications and https://ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2016/rfc-
digital economy and ensure that the Information Administration (NTIA) is potential-roles-government-fostering-advancement-
internet-of-things.
Internet remains an open platform for requesting comment on the benefits, 2 All comments are publicly available at: https://
innovation. Thus, as part of the challenges, and potential roles for the ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2016/
Department’s Digital Economy Agenda, government in fostering the comments-potential-roles-government-fostering-
the National Telecommunications and advancement of the Internet of Things advancement-internet-of-things.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
3 ‘‘Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of
Information Administration (NTIA) (IoT).
Things Workshop Webcast,’’ September 1, 2016,
issued a green paper ‘‘Fostering the The Internet of Things—in which available at https://ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/
Advancement of the Internet of Things’’ connected devices are proliferating at an 2016/09012016-fostering-advancement-internet-
that lays out an approach and areas of unprecedented rate—is transforming the things-workshop-webcast (In addition to the
engagement for the Department’s way we live and do business. IoT webcast, also available are the Workshop agenda,
transcript, and various presentations).
possible future work on the Internet of continues the decades-long trend of 4 The IOT green paper is available at: https://
Things (IoT). Through this Notice, NTIA increasing connectivity among devices www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2017/green-
seeks broad input from all interested and the Internet, bringing online paper-fostering-advancement-internet-things.
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![4314 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 9 / Friday, January 13, 2017 / Notices
Request for Comment SUMMARY: The United States Patent and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Instructions for Commenters: The Trademark Office is publishing this Requests for additional information
Department invites comment on the full notice to reopen the comment period should be directed to the attention of
range of issues that may be presented by provided in its notice of November 18, Michael Shapiro, Senior Counsel, Office
this inquiry, including issues that are 2016, entitled Request for Comments of Policy and International Affairs,
not specifically raised in the following and Notice of Public Meeting on a USPTO, by telephone at 571–272–9300,
questions. Commenters are encouraged Preliminary Draft Convention on the or by email to judgmentsproject@
to address any or all of the following Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign uspto.gov.
questions. Comments that contain Judgments Currently Being Negotiated
references to studies, research, and at the Hague Conference on Private SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
other empirical data that are not widely International Law. The new deadline for
public comments is January 18, 2017. Background
published should include copies of the
referenced materials with the submitted DATES: Written Comments: Written The Hague Conference on Private
comments. comments must be received on or before International Law (‘‘The Hague
(1) Is our discussion of IoT presented January 18, 2017. Conference’’), an international
in the green paper regarding the organization in the Netherlands, is
ADDRESSES: Written Comments:
challenges, benefits, and potential role sponsoring negotiations for a
Interested parties are encouraged to file
of government accurate and/or convention on the recognition and
written comments electronically by
complete? Are there issues that we enforcement of foreign judgments in
email to judgmentsproject@uspto.gov.
missed, or that we need to reconsider? civil and commercial matters. In
Comments submitted by email should
(2) Is the approach for Departmental February 2016, the Council on General
be machine-searchable and should not
action to advance the Internet of Things Affairs and Policy of The Hague
be copy-protected. Written comments
comprehensive in the areas of Conference created a Special
also may be submitted by mail to the
engagement? Where does the approach Commission on the Recognition and
Office of Policy and International
need improvement? Enforcement of Foreign Judgments (‘‘the
Affairs, United States Patent and
(3) Are there specific tasks that the Special Commission’’) to prepare a
Trademark Office, Mail Stop
Department should engage in that are
International Affairs, P.O. Box 1450, preliminary draft text of the convention,
not covered by the approach?
Alexandria, Virginia 22313–1450. which is subject to a formal diplomatic
(4) What should the next steps be for
Responders should include the name of negotiation open to member States of
the Department in fostering the
the person or organization filing the The Hague Conference. At its first
advancement of IoT?
comment, as well as a page number, on session in June 2016, the Special
For any response, commenters may
each page of their submissions. Paper Commission produced a Preliminary
wish to consider describing specific
submissions should also include a CD or Draft Convention that includes general
goals or actions that the Department, or
DVD containing the submission in MS and specific provisions that would
the U.S. Government in general, might
Word®, WordPerfect®, or pdf format. apply to the recognition and
take (on its own or in conjunction with
CDs or DVDs should be labeled with the enforcement of judgments arising from
the private sector) to achieve those
name and organizational affiliation of transnational intellectual property
goals; the benefits and costs associated
the filer, and the name of the word disputes.
with the action; whether the proposal is
processing program used to create the
agency-specific or interagency; the On November 18, 2016, the United
document. All personally identifiable
rationale and evidence to support it; and States Patent and Trademark Office
information (for example, name,
the roles of other stakeholders. (USPTO) requested public comments on
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by
Dated: January 10, 2017. the commenter may be publicly the June 2016 Preliminary Draft
Kathy D. Smith, accessible. Do not submit confidential Convention (the ‘‘Preliminary Draft’’) as
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications business information or otherwise it relates to intellectual property matters
and Information Administration. sensitive or protected information. The (81 FR 81741 (Nov. 18, 2016)), with the
[FR Doc. 2017–00720 Filed 1–12–17; 8:45 am] USPTO will accept anonymous written comment period ending on January 9,
BILLING CODE 3510–60–P comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required 2017. The USPTO is now reopening the
fields if you wish to remain comment period to ensure that all
anonymous). stakeholders have sufficient opportunity
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE All comments received are part of the to submit comments. The new deadline
public record and will be available for for submitting public comments is
Patent and Trademark Office
public inspection without change via January 18, 2017. Any comments
[Docket No. PTO–P–2016–0046] the USPTO’s Web site at received between the close of the
www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/ previous deadline of January 9, 2017,
Reopening of the Period for Comments ip-policy/hague-conference-private- and January 13, 2017 will be treated as
on a Preliminary Draft Convention on international-law and at the Office of timely and given full consideration.
the Recognition and Enforcement of the Director, Policy and International
Foreign Judgments Currently Being Further information about the
Affairs, located in Madison West, Tenth
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Negotiated at The Hague Conference Preliminary Draft, as well as questions
Floor, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria,
on Private International Law about the draft that the USPTO
Virginia 22314, upon request. Because
comments will be available for public presented for consideration, are set forth
AGENCY: United States Patent and in the earlier notice requesting
Trademark Office, Department of inspection, information that is not
desired to be made public, such as comments (81 FR 81741 (Nov, 18,
Commerce. 2016)).
name, an address or phone number, etc.,
ACTION: Reopening of the comment
should not be included in the written
period.
comments.
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Document Created: 2017-01-13 02:44:22
Document Modified: 2017-01-13 02:44:22
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice, request for public comment. | |
| Dates | Comments are due on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on February 27, 2017. | |
| Contact | Travis Hall, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4725, Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-3522; email [email protected] Please direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482- 7002, or at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 4313 | |
| RIN Number | 0660-XC03 |
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