NTIA Policy Update

Speaking at the Federal Communications Bar Association Luncheon Oct 21, National Telecommunications and Information Administration head Lawrence Strickling said three separate areas -- spectrum, broadband, and Internet policy -- together are key building blocks in one of the most important sectors of our economy and one that needs to be an engine of growth and job creation as we recover this economy.

In this speech, Strickling announced that NTIA had identified three federally-controlled spectrum bands -- 1 )1675-1710 MHz, used largely by NOAA for weather satellites and balloons; 2) 3500-3650 MHz, used by the Department of Defense for radar systems, primarily on naval vessels; and 3) 4200-4220 MHz and 4380-4400 MHz, the ends of a 200MHz band used around the world for radio altimeters in commercial and military aircraft -- that could be allocated for private, commercial use.

Concerning NTIA's broadband stimulus grants, he noted that NTIA, as all government agencies, entered the new fiscal year on October 1 operating pursuant to a continuing resolution passed by Congress. The continuing resolution establishes a temporary budget to support government operations. This is not unusual, nor is the fact that the continuing resolution simply extends the final budget that Congress had adopted the previous year. However, through a budgeting quirk, NTIA's authorized spending level between now and December 3 includes zero dollars to manage and oversee the broadband grants program even though the President's budget for FY2011 includes $24 million for the program. The Office of Management and Budget has authorized NTIA to continue to operate the program on the assumption Congress will include money for this program when it eventually passes a budget, so NTIA is operating pretty much normally for the time being. However, NTIA is now working closely with Congress and the White House to secure this necessary funding before the end of the year. NTIA is assuring broadband stimulus grantees that it will do everything possible to avoid disruptions and interruptions to the program, and it is hopeful it will get Congressional action to resolve this issue before the end of the year.

Finally, he said NTIA is playing a leading role in the Commerce Department's Internet Policy Task Force to address four key public policy and operational challenges facing the Internet -- 1) enhancing Internet privacy; 2) ensuring cybersecurity; 3) copyright protection; and 4) ensuring the global free flow of information.