The National Telecommunications and Information Administration released a comprehensive report on federal government frequency usage, setting in motion initiatives to help agencies better exploit the airwaves – federal and private sector alike – through greater reliance on advanced technologies and adherence to various spectrum management tools.
“The plan provides transparency on how the federal government uses the nation’s airwaves and provides the framework for the National Spectrum Plan to be completed with the Federal Communications Commission,” said Meredith Baker, acting director of NTIA.
The Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan, based on input by 15 federal agencies, is a key component of President Bush’s spectrum policy initiative.
Recommendations
The blueprint recommends that federal agencies over the next five years should use commercial services where feasible; implement ‘smart’ radio technologies to improve more dynamic access to needed frequencies, wherever and whenever needed; work with NTIA on identifying economic and other incentives to promote more efficient use of spectrum; facilitate sharing among federal users and between federal and non-federal users; improve interoperability among public-safety agencies; and ensure spectrum support for continuity of government operations.
NTIA, a unit of the Commerce Department, advises the president on telecom policy and manages federal government spectrum.
