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About
the NTIA
A bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
is the President's principal adviser on telecommunications
and information policy issues, and in this role frequently
works with other Executive Branch agencies to develop
and present the Administration's position on these issues.
Since its creation in 1978, NTIA has been at the cutting
edge of critical issues. In addition to representing
the Executive Branch in both domestic and international
telecommunications and information policy activities,
NTIA also manages the Federal use of spectrum; performs
cutting-edge telecommunications research and engineering,
including resolving technical telecommunications issues
for the Federal government and private sector; and
administers infrastructure and public telecommunications
facilities grants.
The Office of Spectrum
Management (OSM) formulates and establishes plans
and policies that ensure the effective, efficient, and equitable
use of the spectrum both nationally and internationally. Through
the development of long range spectrum plans, the OSM is prepared
to address future Federal government spectrum requirements, including
public safety operations and the coordination and registration
of Federal government satellite networks. The OSM also satisfies
the frequency assignment needs of the Federal agencies and provides
spectrum certification for new Federal agency radio communication
systems.
The Office of Policy
Analysis and Development (OPAD) is the domestic
policy division of the NTIA. OPAD supports NTIA's role as principal
adviser to the Executive Branch and the Secretary of Commerce
on telecommunications and information policies by conducting
research and analysis and preparing policy recommendations. The
domestic policy office generates policies that promote innovation,
competition, and economic growth for the benefit of American
businesses and consumers.
The Office of International
Affairs (OIA) develops and implements policies to
enhance U.S. companies' ability to compete globally in the information
technology and communications (ICT) sectors. In consultation
with other U.S. agencies and the U.S. private sector, OIA participates
in international and regional fora to promote policies that open
ICT markets and encourage competition.
The Institute for
Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) is the research
and engineering laboratory of the NTIA. ITS provides technical
support to NTIA in advancing telecommunications and information
infrastructure development, enhancing domestic competition, improving
U.S. telecommunications trade opportunities, and promoting more
efficient and effective use of the radio spectrum. ITS also serves
as a principal Federal resource for investigating the telecommunications
challenges of other Federal agencies, state and local governments,
private corporations and associations, and international organizations.
The Office of Telecommunications
and Information Applications (OTIA) assists public
and non-profit entities in effectively using telecommunications
and information technologies to better provide public services
and advance other national goals. In addition, the office is
administering programs that are helping the nation's transition
to digital television.
- The Public
Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) is
a competitive grant program that helps public
broadcasting stations, state and local governments,
Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations construct
facilities to bring educational and cultural
programs using broadcast and nonbroadcast telecommunications.
Under PTFP's authority, funds also support the Pan-Pacific
Educational and Cultural Experiments by Satellite
(PEACESAT) which provides satellite-delivered
education, medical, and environmental emergency
telecommunications to many small-island nations
and territories in the Pacific Ocean region.
- The Digital
TV Converter Box Coupon Program was
authorized in the Digital Television Transition
and Public Safety Act of 2005. Between Jan. 1,
2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households
will be eligible to request up to two coupons,
worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase
of digital-to-analog converter boxes. Up to $1.5
billion will be available in funding.
- The Public Safety
Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program assists
state, local and federal first responders better
communicate during a natural or man-made disaster.
NTIA, in consultation with DHS, shall make payments
not to exceed $1 billion in the aggregate through
fiscal year 2010 to carry out the PSIC program.
- The Low Power
Television and Translator Assistance Programs include
the Low-Power TV and Translator Digital-to-Analog
Conversion (Conversion) Program and the Low-Power
TV and Translator Upgrade (Upgrade) Program.
The Conversion Program will provide funds to
assist low-power TV broadcast stations, Class
A television stations, television translator
stations, and television booster stations ("low-power
facilities") to broadcast in analog after
the February 17, 2009 digital conversion deadline
for full power television stations. The Upgrade
Program will reimburse the costs to upgrade these
types of facilities in rural communities to digital
transmission.
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