Technology has made the United States the world's only superpower, Indiana State Senator David Ford said.
"We didn't become the only superpower in the world because our soldiers are bigger and stronger and faster than soldiers in other places ...," Ford said. "The United States has become a superpower because we have the best technology, the best tools."
Ford was the keynote speaker Wednesday at "Wireless Technologies: The Lay of the Land in Indiana," a conference sponsored by the Indiana Innovation Network and held at Ball State University.
The conference addressed many different issues surrounding wireless technology.
Ford said the political aspects surrounding wireless technology in the state are important, but the need for technological development transcends the state level to the national level.
"This isn't just about Indiana," he said. "This isn't just about our economics. It's really about our freedom. It's really about the future of this world."
Other speakers explained the current regulations on wireless technology in the state and what still needs restrictions.
Stephan Jones, director of the Institute for Wireless Innovation at Ball State, said the major problem he sees is 85 percent of the students who come through his program leave Indiana to work elsewhere.
He said the state needs to encourage technological growth to help keep graduates in the state.
After Ball State was ranked the most unwired campus by the Intel Corp., holding a conference about wireless technology was a good fit, said Kristi Koriath, information services manager in the Office of Academic Research and Sponsored Programs.
Koriath was responsible for finding speakers and presenters for Wednesday's conference.
"The purpose of the conference was primarily to display innovative research that's happening on campuses," she said.
About 50 people attended the conference and about 20 experts and researchers contributed by speaking and presenting.
Jennifer Kurtz, assistant director for strategic relations and communications at the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security at Purdue University, said wireless technology, provides many benefits, but problems also arise.
Wireless technology frees people from being tied down to a specific place, she said. Stealing of signals, eavesdropping and call interception need to be avoided. Legislation and regulations need to be put in place to prevent these things from occurring, Kurtz said.
Koriath said wireless technology is something Indiana needs to continue to develop.
"There really is a world of opportunity with regards to wireless," she said, "but in the broader picture, there's a lot of work to be done for Indiana to gain and retain the technology."
Ford said the state needs to develop wireless technology to help the state and future residents prosper.
"It's imperative today that we take every step we can to be sure that not only do we have the economic advantage, but that our children and those who come after us know that the United States of America and the state of Indiana are the very best place to do business and to compete and to bring new ideas to the marketplace so that we never have to take second place to anyone," he said. "I'm concerned whether that's going to happen or not."
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