U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) requested that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) clearly outline the processes they plan to use to study the lower 3 GHz band.
Doing so will help provide certainty for both federal and non-federal users, according to a Feb. 28 letter Rep. Latta and U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) sent to NTIA Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson and DOD Chief Information Officer John Sherman. Rep. Latta and Rep. Matsui are chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
NTIA and DOD are required to provide studies of the lower 3 GHz band under the National Spectrum Strategy, which establishes a roadmap to enhance innovation and U.S. leadership in wireless technologies through planning and cooperation among government agencies and the private sector.
Implementation of the strategy will promote private-sector innovation and further the missions of federal departments and agencies, according to the members’ letter.
Specifically, the National Spectrum Strategy requires NTIA and DOD to co-lead additional studies of the lower 3 GHz band to evaluate opportunities for private-sector access while ensuring federal mission capabilities are preserved.
“A comprehensive study of the lower 3 GHz band will help maximize efficient use of our nation’s spectrum resources,” wrote the congressmen, who also seek clarification from the agencies on how this process will move forward.
Toward that goal, Rep. Latta and his colleague asked Davidson and Sherman to jointly respond to several questions, including how the agencies plan to collaborate on their effort, and what steps the agencies will take to ensure all opportunities for commercial use in the lower 3 GHz are fully considered and all relevant stakeholders have the ability.
The lawmakers also want to know how NTIA and DOD will accommodate the exchange of classified information with the private sector where necessary, according to their letter.