Connected Nation at 2011 State of the Net Conference: Day 1

Connected Nation is at the 2011 State of the Net Conference, sponsored by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee, which runs January 18 and 19 in Washington, D.C.

The 2011 State of the Net Conference features in-depth discussions with leading Internet policy experts and panel tracks focusing on privacy/security, telecommunications regulation, intellectual property, and innovation.

Here’s what we have seen already today:

This morning, Cameron Kerry, General Counsel, U.S. Department of Commerce, spoke as part of the conference’s opening address. Kerry pointed out some interesting facts about the impact of the Internet on employment:

• From 1998 –2008, IT employment grew by 26%
• Projected IT employment growth by 2018 – 28%

In addition, the Commerce Department has been developing a paper to examine key Internet development issues using input from key stakeholders. The synopsis is that the time has come to strengthen privacy on the Internet by:

• Developing a Privacy Bill of Rights
• Establishing enforceable codes of conduct developed by stakeholders
• Commerce department will initiate this process with new convenings
• Robust engagement with the international Internet community
• Developing policies without restrictive rules that hamper innovation

Also, during the opening keynote, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), noted:

“Both Republicans and Democrats acting on the tech policy issue have really focused on technology, the delivery systems as the be-all, end-all of tech policy without giving sufficient thought to what is driving that technology and what is responsible for its development.”

Congresswoman Blackburn advocated three provisions for technology policy:

• Creative Economy- The Incentive Economic Sector
• Intellectual Property Enforcement
• Internet is the primary marketplace

Stay tuned to our twitter feed and blog for more about the 2011 State of the Net Conference.