Assistant Commerce Secretary Michael D. Gallagher
Announces Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee

Private Sector Invited to Join Select Committee on Management of Nation’s Airwaves

Assistant Commerce Secretary Michael D. Gallagher today announced the formation of the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee to advise the Commerce Department on key elements of President Bush’s 21st Century Spectrum Policy Initiative for improving management of the nation’s airwaves.

This initiative incorporates and builds upon previous policy breakthroughs such as the authorization of ultrawideband, a promising new technology for innovative devices; the planned deployment of 90 MHz of radio spectrum for advanced wireless services; globally-harmonized allocation of 5GHz spectrum for unlicensed Wireless Local Area Network systems; and responsible deployment of broadband over power lines, or BPL.

“State-of-the-art research and innovative product development have made the United States a global leader in communications technology,” said Gallagher. “Through this advisory committee, innovators and experts from industry and government will have direct involvement in implementing recommendations that will ensure the U.S. remains a world leader.”

In a November 2004 Executive Memorandum, the President directed heads of executive departments and agencies to implement recommendations made by a high-level interagency task force that conducted a comprehensive study of federal government radio spectrum policy. One of the 24 recommendations was for NTIA to establish an advisory committee representing state, regional and local sectors, industry, academia and consumer groups. Committee members will offer expertise and perspective on reforms to enable new technologies and services, including reforms that expedite the American public’s access to broadband services, public safety, digital television, and long-range spectrum planning.

The committee will serve to facilitate increased understanding among all spectrum users about their respective interests. It will act as a liaison between the stakeholders represented by the membership and the federal government, and also may provide a forum for stakeholders representing current and emerging issues in spectrum management, spectrum policy, reform and technology.
The Committee will recommend approaches and strategies that enable the United States to remain a leader in the introduction of new wireless technologies, while at the same time providing for the expansion of existing technologies and ensuring that the country’s homeland security, national defense, and other critical government needs are satisfied.

For additional information on the President’s Spectrum Policy Initiative, visit the NTIA Web site at www.ntia.doc.gov. Nominations for committee membership can be made in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Federal Register notice, which also can be found on the NTIA Web site. The deadline for submitting nominations is November 28, 2005, thirty days from publication in the Federal Register.

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