Although it’s still the early days of the new President’s first term, it isn’t too soon to start exploring possible ripple effects from President Joe Biden’s agenda on the AV industry.

Before getting into the specific plans put forth so far by the administration, it’s worth remembering that any increase in government programs to address the pandemic, climate change, job growth, healthcare, infrastructure and education will require plenty of coordination between agencies. Coordination on that scale requires videoconferencing resources that can meet the demand, particularly with many people working from home to maintain social distancing efforts.

The move from hardware-centric to software-centric approaches to videoconferencing over the past decade has opened new opportunities for AV integrators. While there is still a need for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), it’s no longer the only way for government agencies to connect for lower or non-classified collaboration. Vaddio OneLINK Bridge Codec Kits, for example, can connect legacy cameras and microphones over USB 3.0 to any cloud conferencing software.

Openness, accountability and transparency are key values in governments that exist to serve the people. Generally speaking, open meeting laws require that meetings of governing bodies be open to the public. Throughout the pandemic, livestreaming has made this more possible. Helping those agencies set up systems that provide clear video and audio will help support transparency efforts. 

Even before the pandemic, many governmental organizations had a large portion of their workforce working from home or remote offices. That number may increase as people have become accustomed to work-from-home solutions that allow them to remain productive with the added benefit of reduced travel, which brings us to the first policy agenda, climate change.

Climate Change 

Climate is one of the biggest agendas for the Biden administration, and it goes beyond just one department. Executive orders have established a National Climate Task Force that includes leaders from 21 federal agencies and departments. Each department will be incorporating plans for a clean energy economy through infrastructure, auto and transit, power, housing, education, and justice. Since AV communication resources will be key in helping implement these plans, we can expect further opportunities in several of these key areas.

Transportation 

The campaign site shared a goal to “provide every American city with 100,000 or more residents with high-quality, zero-emissions public transportation options.” Specifically, the administration states it “will work to make sure that new, fast-growing areas are designed and built with clean and resilient public transit in mind.”

This big push for updating transportation infrastructure includes municipal transit networks such as light rail, updated electric bus lines, high speed rail, all of which will require control rooms, digital signage for schedules, and other AV solutions.

Infrastructure

Expanding broadband to every household will open new economic opportunities for smart infrastructure in communities that previously couldn’t take advantage of remote work and school options due to poor connections.

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout 

Digital signage is playing a large role in vaccine rollouts, traffic control and health screening as employees return to the office. Read more.

Education and CARES Act II 

Though we aren’t returning to the classroom in the numbers many parents would like, AV can assist with both hybrid classrooms and safe return technology devices that can screen for temperature. CARES Act II has $8 billion for improvement of technology in community colleges and training programs. You can see how this funding is also affecting K-12 schools.

Watch for more opportunities for AV equipment in the government sector as relief bills and more policies are introduced in 2021.