The House Small Business Committee plans a hearing...

The House Small Business Committee plans a hearing on wireless issues Tuesday, at 1 p.m. in 2360 Rayburn. The hearing is “to examine the rapid growth in innovative wireless technologies being developed or utilized by small firms, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) technology,” said a notice the committee issued. “The hearing will focus on the development of wireless products, the economic benefits and capabilities of these technologies, and potential barriers that could constrain the further growth and development of the wireless economy.” Witnesses are Darrell West, director of the Brookings Institution’s Center for Tech Innovation; Leo McCloskey, the Intelligent Transportation Society’s senior vice president-technical programs; Brian Marshall, owner of Marshall Farms, testifying on behalf of the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farm Bureau Federation; and Michael Feldman, BigBelly Solar vice president-engineering. West plans to outline the many virtues of the wireless industry but focus on “obstacles that make it difficult for small businesses to take advantage of the mobile revolution,” according to his written testimony. These obstacles include financing, regulation, spectrum availability, infrastructure and access, he will say. West will advocate for “a research credit for new firms that earn less than $5 million” to help get them off the ground, and more-flexible government rules. Speaking of the proposed broadcast incentive spectrum auction, West will say, “Legislators should make sure that small businesses have a fair shot at competing for unused spectrum and that entrepreneurs from diverse walks of life have an opportunity to bid on spectrum.” He will criticize those entities he says hold spectrum but do not pay for it -- “military forces, broadcast television, and government agencies” -- and will suggest they be made to pay fees. Local communities should also “streamline the approval process for building new cell towers and laying fiber optic lines,” West will say.