Federal Government Spectrum Management Karl B. Nebbia Associate Administrator, Office of Spectrum Management National Telecommunications and Information Administration US Department of Commerce National Spectrum Management Association’s Spectrum Management 2007 Conference Washington, DC May 23, 2007

Wireless In Our World – Requires Spectrum!

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues Manages Federal Government use of frequency spectrum Represents the Executive Branch in international & domestic telecommunications policy activities Performs telecommunications research and engineering for both the Federal Government and the private sector

U.S. Spectrum Management Organization “ U.S. Spectrum Management Organization “The Current Culture” Executive Branch (President) NTIA Federal Users FCC Non-Federal Users INTERDEPARTMENT RADIO ADVISORY COMMITTEE Chaired by NTIA 19 Federal Agencies and the FCC ADVISORYLIAISON Legislative Branch (Congress) COORDINATION National Defense Law Enforcement, Homeland Security & Emergency Services Transportation Resource Mgmt & Control Commercial Private Business State & Local Government Media

President’s Spectrum Policy Initiative President’s Spectrum Policy Initiative “Why we must change our culture” “The existing legal and policy framework for spectrum management has not kept pace with the dramatic changes in technology and spectrum use.” - President George W. Bush, Presidential Memorandum, May 29, 2003 Committed the Administration to develop a comprehensive U.S. spectrum policy for the 21st century The Secretary of Commerce was charged to lead this initiative Presidential Memo November 30, Recommendations Implementation Plan

Technology - Wireless Demand – Spectrum Technology - Wireless Demand – Spectrum “Our present model will not work” Constrained Resource Continuing Development of New Wireless Technologies Continued Growth in Demand for Wireless Applications A New Paradigm is Needed for Spectrum Management = “Stressed” Access

Vision: Assured Spectrum Access to Effectively and Efficiently Support our National Interests Vision: Assured Spectrum Access to Effectively and Efficiently Support our National Interests Long Setup Times: Engineering for thousands of assignments Extensive manual coordination Reactive Planning: Intended spectrum environment not known or limited knowledge of engagement, contingency, and planned operations Spectrum Inflexibility: Static assignments dictate paucity in dynamic, RF rich environments Spectrum Scarcity: Throughput limitations due to spectrum bandwidth constraints Sub-Optimization: Unused and available spectrum restricted by existing practices Near-Zero Setup Time: Configure system operating parameters via software Standards approach will reduce amount of pre-coordination required Predictive and Adaptive Planning: Spectrum environment factored early in planning and automated adaptation to regional, local, and tactical policies Dynamic Spectrum Access: Time and space dimension now considered. Allows spectrum access at the right place and at the right time Enables efficient and effective utilization of spectrum Spectrum availability is optimized through technology TodayTodayFutureFuture

Overall Goals of the President’s Spectrum Policy Initiative Foster economic growth Ensure national and homeland security Maintain U.S. global leadership in communications technology development and services Satisfy other vital U.S. needs such as public safety, scientific research, federal transportation infrastructure and law enforcement

Key Presidential Initiative Efforts Underway  Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-bed - Consistent Methods for Assessing New Technologies  Best Practices Handbook – Serves as a guide and common set of approaches to evaluate emerging technologies and their implications  New and Improved Analytical Tools - Provide Spectrum Managers with means to manage the spectrum efficiently  Automating SM Processes – Applying Information Technology to improve information sharing and timeliness  Spectrum Management Advisory Committee – Provides venue for insight and experiences from commercial sector  International Study on Policy Framework – WRC Preparations and Improving U.S. influence in International Spectrum Management Policies

Key Presidential Initiative Efforts Underway Continued  Spectrum Valuation Study – Determining if a monetary value can be placed on Federal government use of the spectrum  Capital Planning Process (OMB Circular A-11) – Spectrum having an economic value for capital investment and justifying budget requests  Economic and Regulatory Incentives Studies – Looking at ways to promote and encourage the use of efficient and effective spectrum technologies by spectrum fees, secondary markets, property rights or other possible methods  Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan – Comprehensive look at how the Federal government uses the spectrum today and in the future. Identifies the need for an evolutionary approach to achieve dynamic spectrum access as a vision.

Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan 15 Federal agencies submitted agency-specific strategic spectrum plans – November, Plans provide current radio services and bands used, new technologies and future requirements as it relates to agencies’ missions and functions Findings – Future difficult to quantify but wireless use is ever- increasing, missions becoming more complex, i.e. inter-agency, mobile, scenario-driven. NTIA currently finalizing the 1 st Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan – Will present a foundation for a national strategic vision to meet these future needs, i.e. sets in motion an evolutionary strategy that also considers dynamic spectrum access as another mechanism in satisfying these future spectrum needs.

Other NTIA Efforts to Support New Innovating Technologies and Services “Wedging it into the current model” Advanced Wireless Services (“3G”) – government reallocated 45 MHz of spectrum from federal use to non-federal use and enacted the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement act to facilitate relocation. 5 GHz Spectrum – government systems (military radars) to share with wi-fi devices using smart radio techniques FreqCoord – Supports web-based assignment process at 70/80/90 GHz Webcoord Status – Provides status of IRAC review on non-federal applications for use of shared bands New Web-based Access for Industry Submissions – Will allow commercial sector to obtain pre-certification of products to facilitate Federal government consideration in satisfying their requirements

Summary Spectrum-dependent systems/services are the backbone of our economic and national security. Spectrum is the engine for economic growth and job creation. This Administration is committed to developing and implementing spectrum policies that establish a domestic and international environment for economic growth while removing barriers to the timely implementation of American innovation in new technologies and services. As a result, we continually seek inputs and collaborate with all the stakeholders. We must strive to work together in devising a National Spectrum Strategy that will achieve our vision for assured spectrum access. NTIA continues its efforts in carrying out the Presidential recommendations.