Posts Tagged ‘NTIA’
Government Reorganization Plan Would Impact NTIA
Posted on January 19, 2012President Obama has announced a federal government reorganization plan that would impact, among others, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Under the plan, the White House would consolidate six trade and business related departments and agencies into a single, to-be-named department. These include the Department of Commerce’s core business and trade functions (including NTIA), the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. The new department would be organized under four pillars: (i) small business and economic development; (ii) trade and investment; (iii) technology and innovation (which would include NTIA); and (iv) economic statistics. To implement the plan, however, Congress must first reinstate to the President the authority to reorganize government.
Spectrum Bill Seeks to Add More 5 GHz Bands for Wi-Fi
Posted on July 22, 2011Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) has introduced the Spectrum for Innovation Act of 2011, a bill that could lead to additional 5 GHz bands being opened up for unlicensed Wi-Fi use. The bill would first require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to study and determine whether the 5350-5470 MHz and 5850-5925 MHz bands can feasibly be shared by federal users with unlicensed users to support Wi-Fi. Based on NTIA’s determination, the bill would then require the FCC to modify its rules to permit unlicensed operations on those bands. The bill contemplates a one year timeline from the bill’s enactment to the FCC’s reallocation.
NTIA Boots Up National Broadband Map
Posted on February 18, 2011The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has unveiled the National Broadband Map. The map is the first ever public, searchable nationwide map of broadband Internet availability. People can use the map to search 25 million records of information about where broadband Internet access service is available, the types of technology used to provide the service, the maximum advertised speeds, and the available service providers in a given location. It was created by NTIA in collaboration with the FCC using data collected from broadband providers and other sources. The map will be updated every six months, and includes an element where the public and providers can provide feedback. Government and industry officials expect the map’s granular information on the country’s broadband availability to help better identify unserved areas and provide further information for making policy decisions. The National Broadband Map can be accessed at www.broadbandmap.gov.
NTIA to Consider Repurposing 1755-1850 MHz Band for Commercial Use
Posted on February 2, 2011As part of the Obama administration’s efforts to recapture 500 megahertz of spectrum over the next 10 years for wireless broadband, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced its consideration of 1.7 GHz spectrum for possible commercial reallocation. The band, located at 1755-1850 MHz, has been fast tracked for evaluation because of strong industry interest as a potential pair for the 2155-2180 MHz (AWS-3) band and because it is already internationally harmonized and advantageously propagated for mobile operations. However, reallocation of this band would prove challenging. NTIA has previously noted that Federal use of the 1755-1850 MHz band, which is currently used by the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies for satellite, surveillance, aeronautical operations, fixed microwave and other operations, has intensified over the last several years. NTIA’s analysis of the band is expected to be completed by September 30, 2011.
NTIA Extends Deadline for Spectrum Management Advisory Committee Nominations
Posted on January 13, 2011The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has reopened the window for submitting applications for positions on the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC). CSMAC, which is comprised of spectrum policy experts from the private sector who serve two-year terms, advises the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at NTIA on a number of spectrum policy issues. The new deadline for the submission of applications is January 31, 2011.