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Strategic Objective 2.3
Advance the development of global e-commerce and enhanced telecommunications and information services
This objective is important not only to the nation, but to the international community as it has a role in radio frequency (RF) spectrum management and communications on a national level, to the President as an advisor on communications policy matters, on Internet domain names, and for cellular phones and dial-up and high-speed Internet services. Achievement of this objective will continue to further the technological advances for cellular, Internet services, domain name issues, and other advances in technology. A discussion of each performance goal supporting this objective will further describe the outcomes of this objective. The Department through NTIA:
The Agency’s expertise encompasses every aspect of telecommunications, including domestic policy, international policy, spectrum management, and technical telecommunications research and engineering.
Performance Goal: Ensure that the allocation of radio spectrum provides the greatest benefit to all people (NTIA)
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Rating | Results |
---|---|
On Target | 2 |
Slightly Below Target | 0 |
Below Target | 0 |
See Appendix A: Performance and Resource Tables for individual reported results. |
NTIA examined an array of spectrum management policy issues in FY 2005 dealing with innovative approaches to spectrum management and the effectiveness of current processes. The availability of the RF spectrum is key to the development and implementation of innovative telecommunications technologies.
NTIA prepared and coordinated with federal agencies in the OMB clearance process a Spectrum Reform Initiative implementation plan with 54 milestones to be completed over the next five years. This initiative will fundamentally change the business of spectrum management over the next five years. The purpose of the initiative is to promote the development and implementation of a U.S. spectrum policy that will foster economic growth; ensure our national and homeland security; maintain U.S. global leadership in communications technology development and services; and satisfy other vital U.S. needs in areas such as public safety, scientific research, federal transportation infrastructure, and law enforcement. One result will be the first National Strategic Spectrum Plan. NTIA also took steps to establish the Department of Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the NTIA Organization Act. This Committee will be comprised of a broad range of stakeholders including representatives from state, regional and local sectors, industry, academia, and consumer groups.
NTIA and the FCC launched online registration for high-speed wireless links sharing spectrum in the 70-80-90 GHz bands. These fiber-speed wireless communications links may now be coordinated and approved for non-federal use in a matter of minutes. These extremely large “millimeter wave” bands were once used exclusively by the federal government and radio astronomers. Commercial users can now establish high-speed, point-to-point data links through a Web-based registration process first activated this year. Federal agencies will use the same process to apply for and obtain frequency assignments in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94 GHz, and 94.1-95 GHz bands. In terms of bandwidth, the bands span nearly 13 GHz, which is at least five times larger than the aggregate amount of spectrum used by AM and FM radio, television broadcasters, and cellular telephone carriers combined.
The achievements of this performance goal are described below:
Rating | Results |
---|---|
On Target | 3 |
Slightly Below Target | 0 |
Below Target | 0 |
See Appendix A: Performance and Resource Tables for individual reported results. |
NTIA participated on behalf of the Administration in FCC and congressional proceedings on telecommunications policies, including the development of appropriate regulatory treatment for broadband services deployment. A number of Internet related policy issues required NTIA action, including ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) reform and continuing Internet privatization, domain name management both domestically and internationally, next generation Internet Protocols, and the combination of Internet and telecommunications addressing (ENUM). NTIA pursued policies promoting international trade in telecommunications products and services, promoting consistent international approaches to telecommunications policies, and improving relations with Western Hemisphere neighbors. All of these activities required substantial coordination among NTIA’s program offices, as well as interagency coordination to develop the Administration’s positions.
The achievements of this performance goal are described below:
The data used to evaluate the effectiveness of performance goal achievements are reviewed quarterly and the Department attests to the accuracy and reliability of the data. Data on the timeliness of processing frequency assignment requests is maintained by the Office of Spectrum Management. All other data is published on the NTIA Web site.
NTIA will be restructuring its performance measures for FY 2006 and beyond as a result of an exercise with OMB and the Program Assessment and Rating Tool (PART).
The bulk of NTIA’s resources will be directed toward achieving the President’s goal of spectrum management reform. NTIA will facilitate a modernized and improved spectrum management system and facilitate economic incentives for more efficient and beneficial use of spectrum. NTIA’s other spectrum management activities include (1) identifying and supporting new wireless technologies that promise innovative applications for customers of the federal and private sectors; (2) providing the 63 federal agencies with the spectrum needed to support their missions for national defense, law enforcement and security, air traffic control, national resource management, and other public safety services; (3) developing plans and policies to use the spectrum effectively; (4) satisfying the United States’ future spectrum needs globally through participation with the 190 other countries of the International Telecommunication Union in establishing binding treaty agreements through world radio-communication conferences; and (5) improving, through telecommunications research and engineering, the understanding of radio-wave transmission thereby improving spectrum utilization and the performance of radio-communications systems.
NTIA will also work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the development of standards for the interoperability of public safety systems and on the implementation of Spectrum Relocation Fund legislation. NTIA will work with the Department of Transportation (DOT) on implementation of the Enhanced 911 Act. NTIA will continue work with the ICANN on the management of the Internet domain names system. NTIA anticipates that it will participate on behalf of the Administration in a congressional examination of the Telecommunications Act focusing on telephony subsidy reform and the classification of advanced broadband services. NTIA will also participate on behalf of the Administration in Digital TV transition policy-making and implementation
of IPv6.
In today’s era of modern communications, RF spectrum is critical. Current spectrum management policies are under increasing strain as the demand for existing spectrum-based services grows and new spectrum-related technologies and applications emerge. Working with all affected parties in the federal government and the private sector, NTIA and the Department of Commerce must find ways to implement the recommendations developed through the President’s Spectrum Policy Initiative to foster economic growth; ensure U.S. national and homeland security; maintain U.S. global leadership in communications technology development and services; and satisfy other vital U.S. needs in areas such as public safety, scientific research, federal transportation infrastructure, and law enforcement. Also, NTIA and the FCC must coordinate the development of a National Strategic Spectrum plan.
NTIA and the Department of Commerce must also respond to the President’s call to clear the regulatory hurdles that stand in the way of broadband deployment and create the regulatory certainty necessary to meet the President’s goal of universal and affordable broadband access by 2007. Some of the most promising new broadband technologies are wireless. By expanding the amount of spectrum available for commercial uses, the Department will increase high speed Internet access. In an era of rapidly changing new technologies like mobile wireless, high-speed fiber optics, and expanded broadband deployment, government policies should favor customer choice. Regulatory stability in the telecommunications sector will promote both competition and investment. Developing these policy frameworks to support these goals is the challenge facing NTIA and the Department.
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