[ad_1]
(Updates with announcement, FCC chair Rosenworcel comment)
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) – The Biden
administration on Wednesday launched an effort to identify
significant wireless spectrum that can be repurposed for
advanced technology needs and soaring U.S. wireless demand.
The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) is developing a National
Spectrum Strategy with a goal to identify at least 1,500
megahertz of spectrum to study for potential new uses.
“Today spectrum plays a central role in American life in a
way that it never did before, from cellphones to aviation safety
to weather prediction,” NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson said in
a Reuters interview.
He said the 1,500 megahertz goal over a decade was
achievable but difficult.
Reuters first reported the announcement earlier Wednesday.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said NTIA, which jointly
manages U.S. spectrum with the Federal Communication Commission
(FCC), is seeking public input to identify “new spectrum bands
for potential repurposing that will spur competition and
innovation for years to come.”
The strategy will address current and future spectrum needs,
including fixed and mobile wireless broadband, next-generation
satellite communications and other space-based systems; advanced
transportation; and industrial and commercial applications.
It will also address wireless medical devices and
telemedicine, the Internet of Things and smart cities, and key
government uses including national defense, national airspace,
critical infrastructure and climate monitoring and forecasting,
Davidson said.
Congress last week let the FCC’s authority to auction
wireless spectrum lapse for the first time in three decades,
prompting some lawmakers to quickly restore the authority that
has raised more than $200 billion in proceeds for the U.S.
government.
FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said the United States needed
a “whole-of-government plan for managing” spectrum as well as
“short-term action to restore auction authority.”
Demand for spectrum use is soaring as are planned new uses
like connected vehicles. Mobile U.S. wireless data traffic rose
20% in 2021.
Davidson said a dispute over 5G C-Band spectrum and aviation
use showed industry and government recognize “we need a
coordinated approach” to managing current and future spectrum
use.
“We’ve got 6G networks coming, new mega-constellations of
satellites, connected automobiles, the internet of things – all
of that demands new uses of spectrum,” Davidson said.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Robert Birsel and
Mark Potter)
((David.Shepardson@thomsonreuters.com; 2028988324;))
Keywords: BIDEN COMMUNICATIONS/WIRELESS (UPDATE 1)
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
[ad_2]
Source link
