Good afternoon.  And welcome to all of you.  Today the Subcommittee meets to examine the state of the app economy and trends in mobile technologies.  I am glad to convene this hearing with my good friend and colleague Ranking Member Schatz.

Over the past several weeks, consumer interactions with mobile apps and the information these apps collect about Americans has dominated news reports. This hearing is an opportunity to take the broader look at the app industry and to understand its contributions to our economy in creating jobs, driving investment, and fostering innovation.  It is also an opportunity to discuss emerging trends within apps, such as virtual reality and AI apps.  In addition, I hope we will examine policy issues related to broadband infrastructure, data privacy, workforce development, and other considerations important to the continued growth of the app economy.

Proliferation of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices has created an exciting market of mobile applications.  Mobile apps allow consumers to access virtually anything at their fingertips. Consumers can watch TV, deposit checks at the bank, control the lighting and security within their homes, start their cars, or connect with a loved one face-to-face all through the touch of an app. 

In a short period of time, a large economy has developed around the app industry.  It has become a robust platform for job creation, investment, innovation, competition, and new opportunities for American enterprise.  Increasingly, consumers and businesses are turning to apps not just for entertainment, but also for efficiency, convenience, productivity, and cost savings. Mississippi farmers, for example, are using apps for precision agriculture technologies. Apps allow them to monitor the health of their crops and the welfare of their livestock remotely.  This helps farmers accurately predict agricultural yields, cutting down costs and increasing productivity. Mississippians are also using apps to access telemedicine services. Apps can provide patients with immediate access to medical professionals or other health-related services that are not readily available in their neighborhoods or communities. This technology helps improve patient outcomes and saves lives.

At the foundation of the app industry’s success is a reliable broadband network.  Significant investments in broadband networks have enabled many of the innovative apps consumers enjoy today. Next-generation communication networks, such as 5G, promise even greater app capabilities.  We need to ensure that reliable, broadband networks are available to all Americans, whether that is through private investment or dedicated government programs, like Phase II of the Mobility Fund.  Broadband offers immediate access to economic opportunities and other resources that have been shifting to the online marketplace.

In addition to prioritizing the deployment of broadband infrastructure, workforce development is critical to growing the app economy.  Maintaining a trained and skilled workforce will help meet industry needs and ensure that the United States remains a leader in the global digital economy.  I am grateful to have Mr. Forster here today representing Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Coding Academies.  I look forward to hearing more about his work to train the next generation of workers in Mississippi and across the country.

In the last decade, the app economy has clearly brought value to consumers and businesses.  It promises to continue delivering this value as apps increase in personalization and utility for users while adequately safeguarding consumer data.  To that end, I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today about how to preserve the many economic and societal benefits of mobile applications now and in the years to come.