CSMAC Urges Agency Sharing, Consolidation, Sends Recommendations to NTIA
NTIA should look into whether federal agencies with compatible missions and using similar technologies could move into frequency sharing and consolidation. That and other Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee recommendations are heading to NTIA for consideration. CSMAC members Friday adopted subcommittee findings on 5G, band key characteristics, enforcement and spectrum efficiency. Along with recommendations for more emphasis on receiver standards and NTIA opening notices of inquiry on bands that could be considered for sharing (see 1711150019), members recommended NTIA look for ways to make federal procurement processes more responsive to market-based incentives to invest in new technology.
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Committee members discussed issues they left out of the report, including some added to recommendations as subjects for future work, such as defining the line between what spectrum access systems (SASs) do and FCC enforcement, given the level of data collection that could be required of SASs and the attendant costs. Enterprise Wireless Alliance CEO Mark Crosby, a member of the Enforcement Subcommittee, said some discussions involved use of a “kill switch,” saying it didn't end up in the final report but could be a future topic of discussion.
The receiver standard recommendation, while laudable, is challenging to make happen, said Dish Network Vice President-Technology Development Mariam Sorond. She said joint efforts from various regulatory bodies would be needed to initiate that, and NTIA potentially could consider jump-start efforts.
Some recommendations were subject to considerable back-and-forth. Freedom Technologies President Janice Obuchowski said a recommendation NTIA consider directing CSMAC to develop a methodology for identifying federal bands for potential shared commercial use was "a little naive." Federal agencies already are looking for those areas of potential shared use, she said, saying moving federal users often leads to cascading effects on other users.
NTIA is working with the FCC and DOD on a citizen broadband radio service rollout, including work toward standards and a certification process for the SAS that would enable CBRS devices, said Paige Atkins, associate NTIA administrator. She said the SAS certification process could start as early as March. She said NTIA is expanding spectrum compendium reports on federal use of spectrum in particular bands; originally, they covered 225 MHz to 5 GHz, and have added 5925-7125 MHz. She said the agency is planning a report in 2018 on 37 GHz and is looking at other millimeter wave bands, and also will produce 7-10 GHz reports next year. She said NOAA received funding for a study of potential sharing at 1675-1680 MHz, with that work just now underway. Ligado sought shared use of that band.
NTIA Chief of Staff Glenn Reynolds said the agency is "close" to having a new head, with the delay in the presidential signature on David Redl's confirmation paperwork (see 1711160043) perhaps due to President Donald Trump having been in Asia. Reidl "could be on board any minute," Reynolds said.