NTIA Releases Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan

NTIA RELEASES FEDERAL STRATEGIC SPECTRUM PLAN
The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a comprehensive report on the use of the nation’s airwaves used by the U.S. federal government, based on submissions of spectrum plans from 15 Federal agencies. The report titled, The Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan, is a key component of President Bush’s 21st Century Spectrum Policy Initiative for improving the management of spectrum by federal agencies. The report provides extensive data on federal spectrum use and plans, including frequency bands, radiocommunication services, and spectrum-dependent systems. Among several recommendations provided in the report, federal agencies should over the next five years:
1) use commercial services where feasible;
2) implement “smart” radio technologies to improve more dynamic access to needed frequencies, wherever and whenever needed;
3) work with NTIA on identifying economic and other incentives to promote more efficient use of spectrum;
4) facilitate sharing among federal users and between federal and non-federal users;
5) improve interoperability among public safety agencies; and
6) ensure spectrum support for continuity of government operations.
Within the five-year timeframe, NTIA will upgrade the federal spectrum management system; consider possible user fees for federal use of spectrum; develop improved interference models for optimizing spectrum use; implement methods to better forecast future requirements; and continue to promote interagency and federal/private sector coordination.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2008/SpectrumPlan_080320.html
* The Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/reports/2008/FederalStrategicSpectrumPlan2008.pdf