The technology community should not count on federal legislation to keep the industry competitive, Sen. John McCain told a packed room of Washington-area technology professionals Wednesday.

McCain, R-Ariz., who spoke to the group as part of the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s speaker series, said it is unlikely Congress will pass changes to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 this session and even if it did, the rapid speed of technology development will outpace any regulations the government enacts.