What Commerce Dept Nominee Ross Said About Tech Policy During Confirmation Hearing

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, touching on tech subjects ranging from wireless spectrum to broadband deployment. The Commerce Department has broad responsibilities in the tech field, including jurisdiction over the federal government’s airwaves, the US Patent and Trademark Office and national science labs. Most notably, Ross said he would push to get government agencies to free up unused spectrum, a longstanding goal of Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD). “We need more spectrum in the private sector, and I will try my best to help convince those government agencies that have spectrum and don’t really need it to permit it to be commercialized,” he told the committee.

Ross also said he would work to balance privacy protections and data protectionism in data-transfer agreements such as the EU-US Privacy Shield pact. Later, he said there would need to be a balance between national security and freeing up airwaves. He also said government airwaves could “help extend broadband to more rural communities and other segments that are underserved.” Transition of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority will remain in place, Ross said. “As I understand it, there is no real alternative on the table to the ICANN situation. So, for the moment, there’s nothing else to consider,” Ross said. Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX), who was opposed to the transfer of power, pressed Ross further on the issue. Ross said that if he found “a realistic alternative,” he would explore it.