Title: Supporting the goals and ideals of "World Wi-Fi Day".
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of World Wi-Fi Day to recognize and celebrate the significant role that Wi-Fi plays in cities and communities around the world and to increase understanding of how Wi-Fi is helping to bridge the digital divide.
The resolution also recognizes the Wi-Fi industry's efforts in delivering innovation, socioeconomic benefits, and opportunities to the American public and around the world.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1189 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1189

        Supporting the goals and ideals of ``World Wi-Fi Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 17, 2022

  Mr. McNerney (for himself and Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
  on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
   each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
        Supporting the goals and ideals of ``World Wi-Fi Day''.

Whereas ``World Wi-Fi Day'' is a celebration of the benefits that Wi-Fi 
        technology brings to the daily lives of individuals;
Whereas World Wi-Fi Day is held annually on June 20th and has the support of the 
        leading United States technology companies and trade groups credited 
        with enabling Wi-Fi connectivity worldwide, with over 100 Wi-Fi industry 
        players supporting World Wi-Fi Day this year;
Whereas access to the internet increases economic growth, improves social 
        mobility and computer literacy, and enriches education prospects for all 
        people;
Whereas Wi-Fi connectivity is the critical component of telecommunications 
        infrastructure, enabling households, businesses, and institutions to 
        stay connected;
Whereas the growth in Wi-Fi-enabled devices is unprecedented, with some analysts 
        reporting that United States households have as many as 25 connected 
        devices, and that the trend is continuing;
Whereas the Wi-Fi Alliance has estimated that by 2025, the economic value of Wi-
        Fi to the United States economy will be $1,400,000,000,000, and 
        $4,900,000,000,000 globally;
Whereas congressional efforts to identify bipartisan solutions to promote 
        broadband access for the American people will further expand the role of 
        Wi-Fi in communities in the United States;
Whereas Wi-Fi is essential in underserved areas, where residential broadband 
        access may not be available, and Wi-Fi provides connectivity in public 
        places such as schools, libraries, community centers, and other venues;
Whereas Wi-Fi expands opportunities for Americans to fully participate in 
        society by enabling remote work, education, civil engagement, health 
        care, and many other valued services;
Whereas, while rural Americans have made large gains in adopting digital 
        technology over the past decade and have narrowed some digital gaps, 
        rural Americans remain less likely than suburban Americans to have home 
        broadband and less likely than urban Americans to own a smartphone, 
        tablet computer, or traditional computer;
Whereas urban areas also struggle with connectivity;
Whereas lower-income Americans are more ``smartphone dependent'', with about 15 
        percent of American adults being ``smartphone-only'' internet users, 
        meaning that they have a smartphone but do not have a home broadband 
        connection, and children in these households have less ability to use 
        the internet to complete homework;
Whereas, as COVID-19 disrupted the lives of so many Americans, Wi-Fi played a 
        critical role in keeping Americans connected;
Whereas the demand for Wi-Fi connectivity increased dramatically as Americans 
        relied on Wi-Fi for work, education, and social interactions during the 
        pandemic lockdown; and
Whereas 9 in 10 Americans say that internet access has been essential or 
        important during the pandemic: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``World Wi-Fi Day'' to 
        recognize and celebrate the significant role that Wi-Fi plays 
        in cities and communities around the world and to increase 
        understanding of how Wi-Fi is helping to bridge the digital 
        divide;
            (2) acknowledges the indispensable role of Wi-Fi in 
        enabling Americans to stay connected; and
            (3) recognizes the Wi-Fi industry's efforts in delivering 
        innovation, socioeconomic benefits, and opportunities to the 
        American public and around the world.
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