Unveiling a new strategic plan, the administration of President Joseph Biden is orchestrating an in-depth examination of over 2,700 megahertz of spectrum. This initiative, aimed at informed allocation of limited spectrum resources, could have significant implications for America’s technological advancement.
The White House highlighted in a recent factsheet how essential spectrum is, stating, “the country’s economy, technological leadership, and security have banked heavily on the frequencies used for wireless technology transmission.” Spectrum essentially forms the backbone of all radio signal transmissions in wireless technologies today, asserting its vital role in maintaining global leadership in this field.
A memorandum from President Biden further guides the NTIA’s efforts towards constructing a focused national spectrum strategy. As the factsheet highlights, spectrum is in high demand owing to innovations that range from 5G networks to unmanned aerial vehicles and moon missions. To meet these evolving needs, it advocates for a forward-looking adaptability in America’s spectrum policy.
This initiative, aptly titled National Spectrum Strategy, hinges on four fundamental objectives. These include architecting a “spectrum pipeline” to uphold U.S. leadership in emerging tech, fostering collaborative, long-range planning for national spectrum needs, enhancing spectrum access and management via technology development, and raising public awareness about spectrum’s role in the U.S. economy.
The Biden Administration also envisions a cooperative framework where federal agencies partner with policymakers at all levels – state, local, and tribal, to effectively implement the spectrum strategy. Incorporated into this blueprint is the creation of a National Spectrum Workforce Plan. The primary goal here is to nurture a skilled workforce capable of managing the operational, technical, and policy issues related to spectrum effectively.
In a subsequent statement, the Department of Commerce predicted that technological breakthroughs in the spectrum domain would significantly enhance wireless networks across diverse sectors including aviation, transportation, manufacturing, energy, and space.
Following the White House announcement, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, echoed the importance of spectrum as an invaluable resource that underpins the daily life of most Americans. Reinforcing the country’s commitment to spectrum innovation, she said, “President Biden’s bold vision for spectrum policy will provide the foundation for that leadership.”
Underscoring the ambitious scope of this initiative, the Department of Commerce noted that the exploration of around 2,786 megahertz of spectrum across five bands was nearly double the NTIA’s initial target.
Alan Davidson, the administrator of NTIA, affirms the strategic importance of spectrum, particularly midband airwaves, and its burgeoning demand in the realm of next-generation wireless services. He endorsed the National Spectrum Strategy, predicting it will spark innovation across public and private sectors and guarantee America’s dominant position in wireless technologies.
