Reviewing Federal Use of 7GHz Band Spctrum

Rep Doris Matsui (D-CA) urged Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson to prioritize the important task of reviewing current federal assignments and quantification of spectrum usage within the 7125-8400 MHz (7GHz) band. A National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) review will be crucial to determining how much of the band could accommodate commercial use. To ensure the United States remains the global pacesetter in wireless communications technology, a reliable pipeline of spectrum is needed. The 7 GHz band must be evaluated quickly to ensure that pipeline remains strong. To provide Federal agencies with the requisite resources to fulfil their mandates and to give commercial users the certainty for long-term strategic investments, it is important for a whole of government approach in the 7GHz band. As the statutory manager of the Federal government’s use of spectrum, this process must start with the NTIA in collaboration with implicated Federal agencies and the Federal Communications Commission.