U.S. outlines National Spectrum Strategy

 The White House published a National Spectrum Strategy that aims to expand access to advanced wireless broadband networks and technologies, whether terrestrial-, airspace-, satellite- or space-based, for all Americans. 

The 23-page paper was developed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in collaboration with the FCC and in coordination with other Federal agencies.

The Strategy has four pillars

• Pillar One: A Spectrum Pipeline to Ensure U.S. Leadership in Advanced and Emerging Technologies
• Pillar Two: Collaborative Long-Term Planning to Support the Nation’s Evolving Spectrum Needs
• Pillar Three: Unprecedented Spectrum Innovation, Access, and Management through Technology Development
• Pillar Four: Expanded Spectrum Expertise and Elevated National Awareness

Significantly this Strategy identifies five spectrum bands in government hands totaling 2,786 megahertz of mostly mid-band spectrum for in-depth, near-term study to determine suitability for potential repurposing to address evolving needs,, including terrestrial wireless broadband, innovative space services, and unmanned aviation and other autonomous vehicle operations. This includes the following:

Lower 3 GHz (3.1-3.45 GHz)

• The Department of Defense (DoD) has studied the potential for sharing 350 megahertz of spectrum with the private sector, determining that sharing is feasible with advanced interference-mitigation features and a coordination framework.
• The Departments of Commerce and Defense will co-lead follow-on studies focusing on future use of the 3.1-3.45 GHz band, exploring dynamic spectrum sharing and private-sector access while preserving Federal mission capabilities

5030-5091 MHz

•  The FCC, in coordination with NTIA and the Federal Aviation Administration, will facilitate limited deployment of UAS in this band, followed by studies to optimize UAS spectrum access while avoiding harmful interference to other operations.

7125-8400 MHz

•  This 1,275 megahertz of spectrum will be studied for wireless broadband use, with some sub-bands potentially studied for other uses, while protecting incumbent users from harmful interference.

18.1-18.6 GHz

• This 500 megahertz of spectrum will be studied for expanded Federal and non-Federal satellite operations, consistent with the U.S. position at the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference.

37.0-37.6 GHz

• This 600 megahertz of spectrum will be further studied to implement a co-equal, shared-use framework allowing Federal and non-Federal users to deploy operations in the band.

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national_spectrum_strategy_final.pdf

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NTIA announces state allocations for $42.45 billion in BEAD grants

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced how it has allocated funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories to deploy high-speed Internet to all addresses that are currently unserved.

The funding, a component of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, totals $42.5 billion in eligible grants.

The announcement was made at a White House ceremony attended by the President, Vice President, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, along with other dignitaries.

"This is a watershed moment for millions of people across America who lack access to a high-speed Internet connection. Access to Internet service is necessary for work, education, healthcare, and more,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communication and Information Alan Davidson. “States can now plan their Internet access grant programs with confidence and engage with communities to ensure this money is spent where it is most needed.”

“Put simply, high-speed Internet is a necessity in today’s society,” said Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator. “Just like President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Act made a historic investment in rural areas bringing electricity to nearly every home in America, President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to leaving no community behind as we connect everyone in America to high-speed Internet.”

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/

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NTIA seeks public comment on Open RAN funding under CHIPS Act

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking public comment  on the development and implementation of the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (Innovation Fund).

The Innovation Fund is a $1.5 billion grant program that will support the promotion and deployment of open, interoperable, and standards-based radio access networks (RAN). Authorized under the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act and funded through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, this historic investment aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in the global telecommunications ecosystem, foster competition, lower costs for consumers, and strengthen our supply chain.

NTIA is charged with administering the Innovation Fund and establishing criteria for grants awarded. The comments submitted will provide vital input and recommendations for consideration in the development and implementation of NTIA’s Innovation Fund grant program.

“The highly consolidated global market for wireless equipment creates serious risks for both consumers and U.S. companies,” said Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. “Our $1.5 billion fund will jumpstart innovation in the industry and open it up to a more diverse set of suppliers. We expect the increase in competition to lead to more secure, resilient and cost-effective networks.”

Commenters are encouraged to address any or all the questions in the Request for Comment. Written comments may be submitted to regulations.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 27, 2023. All comments submitted will post publicly on Regulations.gov.

https://ntia.gov/press-release/2022/ntia-requests-public-comment-chips-and-science-act-innovation-fund

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NTIA awards $73M in high-speed Internet grants for Tribal lands

The  Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration  (NTIA)  awarded nine grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). These new grants, totaling more than $73 million, bring the total of the program to $1.655 billion awarded to 121 Tribal entities. With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, these grants will expand high-speed Internet service network deployment and digital skills training to improve access to education, jobs, and healthcare on Tribal lands.  

Tribes in six states received grants – California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Nevada, and Washington. 

The projects funded by these awards will directly connect 3,107 unserved Native American households that previously had no connectivity to high-speed Internet as well as businesses and anchor institutions. Additionally, the nine grants will create 49 new jobs.  Additional grant awards will be announced on a rolling basis. 

“The Biden administration is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with Tribal Nations, which have been vital to our goal of connecting everyone in America, including American Indians and Natives, with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These grants – made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – highlight the Biden administration’s unprecedented commitment to closing the digital divide in Native communities.” 

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2022/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-73-million-high-speed-internet-grants

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NTIA milestone: Funding for tribal broadband projects tops $1.3 billion

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)  awarded 23 grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). These new grants, totaling more than $601.6 million, bring the total of the program to $1.35 billion awarded to 94 Tribal entities.

The projects funded by these awards will directly connect 42,268 unserved Native American households that previously had no connectivity to high-speed Internet as well as businesses and anchor institutions. 

“We are making an historic investment in Tribal communities to ensure reliable, affordable high-speed Internet for all,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These grants – made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - underscore President Biden’s commitment to closing the digital divide in the United States, especially within Tribal lands. Today’s awards will not only build high-speed Internet capacity within Tribal Nations, but also bring digital opportunities for good-paying jobs, education, and healthcare.” 

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is a nearly $3 billion grant program and part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative. The funds are made available from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ($980 million) and President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ($2 billion). Additional grants will be announced on a rolling basis this fall.

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2022/biden-harris-administration-s-tribal-broadband-connectivity-program-hits

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NTIA selects 5G Challenge vendors

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), in Boulder, Colo., in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD), announced 5G Challenge contestants selected from final white paper entries. This prize competition aims to accelerate the adoption of open interfaces, interoperable components, and multi-vendor solutions toward the development of an open 5G ecosystem.

Contestants selected from final white paper entries are:

Distributed Unit (DU)

• Radisys Corp.
• Signal System Management

Centralized Unit (CU)

• Capgemini Engineering
• Mavenir Systems, Inc.
• Signal System Management

Radio Unit (RU)

• Fujitsu Network Communications
• Mavenir Systems, Inc.

In this 2022 first-year 5G Challenge Preliminary Event, ITS will award part of the total $3 million prize purse to contestants who submit winning hardware and/or software solutions for one or more of these 5G network subsystems: Distributed Unit (DU); Centralized Unit (CU); Radio Unit (RU). 

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2022/ntia-s-institute-telecommunication-sciences-and-department-defense-select-5g-0

NTIA: ORAN will reinforce 5G vendor diversity 

Sunday, July 18, 2021    

Limited competition in the telecommunications infrastructure market can reduce supply chain resilience and security and contribute to higher prices for operators and consumers in the long run, according to a paper released by NTIA on behalf of the executive branch of the U.S. government.The 26-page paper explores the potential benefits of Open RAN in expanding the vendor ecosystem."The Executive Branch fully supports industry’s development of Open...

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NTIA receives $2.5 billion in funding requests

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) received more than 230 applications for the Broadband Infrastructure Program, for a total of more than $2.5 billion in funding requests across 49 states and U.S. territories.

NTIA has begun reviewing the applications as part of the $288 million grant program, which was funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Act). Grants will be awarded to covered partnerships between a state, or political subdivisions of a state, and providers of fixed broadband service. The program’s 90-day application window closed on Tuesday, August 17.

“The intense demand for this program across the country demonstrates the widespread need for better broadband connectivity in unserved communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “These investments are critical, but there is more to be done. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, recently passed by the Senate, will expand upon the groundwork being laid by this program to advance digital equity and get us one step closer to every American having access to high-speed, affordable, and reliable Internet.” 

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NTIA establishes two broadband-focused offices

 The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the establishment of the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) and the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI).

• The Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth  will house all broadband activities at NTIA, including three active broadband grant programs: the Broadband Infrastructure Program, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. The office will also house BroadbandUSA, which provides community outreach, support for state leaders, technical assistance, and helps coordinate federal broadband resources and programs.  The OICG will be led by Douglas Kinkoph, who has served as the head of NTIA’s broadband program since 2015. The 
• The Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives codifies NTIA’s work on its Minority Broadband Initiative since 2018. The OMBI, established within the OICG, fulfills requirements of the Connecting Minority Communities provisions enacted into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The office will continue NTIA’s efforts to collaborate with federal agencies; state, local and tribal governments; Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions; and any interested stakeholders to promote initiatives related to expanding connectivity and digital opportunities for anchor communities.

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NTIA to procure Open RAN equipment for testing

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS)  issued a Broad Agency Announcement to procure prototype or commercial-off-the-shelf Open RAN equipment and software as part of an effort to test state-of-the-art Open RAN technology.

ITS is seeking equipment used in Open RAN 4G and 5G networks, as well as Virtualized RAN (vRAN) software and RAN automation software. ITS will deploy the technology in its Communications Research and Innovation Network to evaluate performance, inter-vendor interoperability, and standard maturity compared with established RAN technologies.

The equipment requested are Open RAN prototype or COTS device types as follows:

• Radio Units (RU)
• Distributed Units (DU)
• Central Units (CU)
• Combination Units (DU/CU, RU/DU/CU, etc.) o Network Control Software
• RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) Software

“The development of open interfaces and vendor diversity are a significant part of NTIA’s overall vision for building out secure 5G networks,” said Acting NTIA Administrator Evelyn Remaley. “Today’s announcement is an important step for testing the ability of these technologies to interoperate and scale, and to achieve a more secure and resilient global 5G supply chain.”

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2021/ntia-s-institute-telecommunication-sciences-announces-plan-procure-open-ran

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NTIA announces $1 billion in grants to expand broadband on tribal lands

Nearly $1 billion in U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) grants are now available to expand broadband access and adoption on Tribal land. 

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Grants will be made available to eligible Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian entities for broadband deployment as well as for digital inclusion, workforce development, telehealth, and distance learning.

“These investments will help many Native American, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian communities gain long-overdue access to life-saving technologies, economic opportunities, remote learning, and countless other benefits,” said Secretary Gina Raimondo. “This funding is an important step forward, but we cannot stop here. Access to broadband is as essential as electricity to our everyday life. Under President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, we will have the resources to deploy high-quality broadband infrastructure to every Tribal community.”

“For generations, a lack of infrastructure investment in Indian Country has left Tribes further behind in the digital divide than most areas of the country,” said Secretary Haaland. “We have a responsibility as a country to build infrastructure that will fuel economic development, keep communities safe, and ensure everyone has opportunities to succeed. Today’s announcement marks a major stepping stone in the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to an all-of-government approach to ensure the federal government lives up to its responsibilities to Tribal communities.”

“We are excited to continue our work with Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to make this program a success,” said Acting NTIA Administrator Evelyn Remaley. “NTIA will leverage its deep experience with funding broadband programs to ensure that we make significant progress in eliminating the digital divide on Tribal land.”

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U.S. seeks to block China Mobile from entering U.S. market

Citing national security concerns, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is requesting that the FCC deny a license request from China Mobile to offer services in the U.S. market.

“After significant engagement with China Mobile, concerns about increased risks to U.S. law enforcement and national security interests were unable to be resolved. Therefore, the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration pursuant to its statutory responsibility to coordinate the presentation of views of the Executive Branch to the FCC, recommends that the FCC deny China Mobile’s Section 214 license request.”

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2018/ntia-statement-china-mobile-s-section-214-application-fcc

• China Mobile initially filed its petition for global facilities-based and global resale international Section 214 authority in September 2011.

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NTIA Petitions the FCC to Mandate Mobile Device Unlocking

The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) formally petitioned the FCC to require wireless carriers to unlock mobile phones, tablets, and other devices for use with other carriers upon request. The petition requests that the FCC immediately initiate the process of setting rules that protect Americans’ investments in mobile devices by allowing them to use their equipment with any compatible network.

“Americans should be able to use their mobile devices on whatever networks they choose and have their devices unlocked without hassle,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling.

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2013/ntia-petitions-fcc-mandate-mobile-device-unlocking

• Late last year, the Library of Congress eliminated an exemption under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that allowed consumers to unlock new mobile phones without carrier permission. 

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