[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 245 (Friday, December 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65640-65641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27690]



[[Page 65640]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Docket No. 181130999-8999-01]
RIN 0660-XC044


Developing a Sustainable Spectrum Strategy for America's Future

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: On behalf of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) requests 
comments from interested parties with regard to development of a 
comprehensive, long-term national spectrum strategy. NTIA seeks broad 
input from interested stakeholders, including private industry, 
academia, civil society, and other experts.

DATES: Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 
22, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Written comments identified by Docket No. 181130999-8999-01 
may be submitted by email to [email protected]. 
Comments submitted by email should be machine-readable and should not 
be copy-protected. Written comments also may be submitted by mail to 
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4600, Attn: 
John Alden, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Alden, Office of Spectrum 
Management, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4600, 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-8046; email: 
[email protected]. For media inquiries: Anne Veigle, Director, Office 
of Public Affairs, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Room 4897, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-7002; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    NTIA is requesting comments from interested parties with regard to 
development of a comprehensive, long-term national spectrum strategy as 
required by the Presidential Memorandum, Developing a Sustainable 
Spectrum Strategy for America's Future (Spectrum PM), issued on October 
25, 2018.\1\ Section 4 of the Spectrum PM requires the Secretary of 
Commerce, working through NTIA, and in consultation with Office of 
Management and Budget, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and other Federal entities to 
submit a long-term National Spectrum Strategy to the President, through 
the Director of the National Economic Council and the Assistant to the 
President for National Security Affairs, within 270 days.\2\ The 
National Spectrum Strategy is to include legislative, regulatory, or 
other policy recommendations to:
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    \1\ Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and 
Agencies, Developing a Sustainable Spectrum Strategy for America's 
Future, 83 FR 54513 (Oct. 30, 2018), available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-10-30/pdf/2018-23839.pdf.
    \2\ Id. at sec. 4.
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    (a) Increase spectrum access for all users, including on a shared 
basis, through transparency of spectrum use and improved cooperation 
and collaboration between Federal and non-Federal spectrum 
stakeholders;
    (b) Create flexible models for spectrum management, including 
standards, incentives, and enforcement mechanisms that promote 
efficient and effective spectrum use, including flexible-use spectrum 
licenses, while accounting for critical safety and security concerns;
    (c) Use ongoing research, development, testing, and evaluation 
[RDT&E] to develop advanced technologies, innovative spectrum-
utilization methods, and spectrum-sharing tools and techniques that 
increase spectrum access, efficiency, and effectiveness;
    (d) Build a secure, automated capability to facilitate assessments 
of spectrum use and expedite coordination of shared access among 
Federal and non-Federal spectrum stakeholders; and
    (e) Improve the global competitiveness of United States terrestrial 
and space-related industries and augment the mission capabilities of 
Federal entities through spectrum policies, domestic regulations, and 
leadership in international forums.\3\
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    \3\ Id.
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    On June 18, 2018, the President issued Space Policy Directive-3, 
National Space Traffic Management Policy (SPD-3), which sets forth 
principles, goals, and guidelines for the National Space Traffic 
Management Policy.\4\ NTIA believes SPD-3 shares many of the goals of 
the Spectrum PM with respect to the development of the administration's 
comprehensive and sustainable approach to our national spectrum policy. 
For example, one of the goals of SPD-3 is to:
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    \4\ Memorandum for Heads for the Vice President, Heads of 
Executive Departments and Agencies, Space Policy Directive-3, 
National Space Traffic Management Policy, 83 FR 28969 (Jun. 21, 
2018), available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-06-21/pdf/2018-13521.pdf.

[p]revent unintentional radio frequency (RF) interference. Growing 
orbital congestion is increasing the risk to U.S. space assets from 
unintentional RF interference. The United States should continue to 
improve policies, processes, and technologies for spectrum use 
(including allocations and licensing) to address these challenges 
and ensure appropriate spectrum use for current and future 
operations.\5\
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    \5\ Id. at sec. 4(g).

Furthermore, SPD-3 provides that U.S. Government efforts in Space 
Traffic Management (STM) should address the following spectrum 
management considerations:
     Where appropriate, verify consistency between policy and 
existing national and international regulations and goals regarding 
global access to, and operation in, the RF spectrum for space services;
     Investigate the advantages of addressing spectrum in 
conjunction with the development of STM systems, standards, and best 
practices;
     Promote flexible spectrum use and investigate emerging 
technologies for potential use by space systems; and
     Ensure spectrum-dependent STM components, such as inter-
satellite safety communications and active debris removal systems, can 
successfully access the required spectrum necessary to their 
missions.\6\
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    \6\ Id. at sec. 5(c)(2).
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II. Request for Comments

    This Request for Comments (RFC) solicits input to assist the 
Secretary of Commerce, through NTIA, in developing a National Spectrum 
Strategy. We solicit recommended actions as well as information that 
can improve NTIA's understanding more generally in areas including 
expanding spectrum access, improving spectrum sharing, enhancing 
spectrum management, utilizing ongoing research and development 
activities, fostering global competitiveness, protecting U.S. space 
assets from RF interference, and augmenting the mission capability of 
Federal entities.
    NTIA invites comment on the full range of issues raised in this 
RFC. NTIA also seeks comment on the following specific questions:

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    1. In what ways could the predictability of spectrum access for all 
users be improved?
    2. To what extent would the introduction of automation facilitate 
assessments of spectrum use and expedite the coordination of shared 
access, especially among Federal and non-Federal spectrum stakeholders?
    3. What is the practical extent of applying standards, incentives, 
and enforcement mechanisms to promote efficient and effective spectrum 
use?
    4. How might investment in RDT&E improve spectrum-utilization 
methods, and spectrum-sharing tools and techniques?
    5. What are the risks, if any, to the global competitiveness of 
U.S. industries associated with spectrum management and policy actions?
    6. How could a spectrum management paradigm be structured such that 
it satisfies the needs of commercial interests while preserving the 
spectrum access necessary to satisfy the mission requirements and 
operations of Federal entities?
    7. What are the likely future needs of spectrum users, both 
terrestrially and for space-based applications, within the next 15 
years? In particular, are present allocations of spectrum sufficient to 
provide next generation services like Fifth Generation (5G) cellular 
services and emerging space-based applications? For commenters who 
assert that existing allocations are insufficient, NTIA is interested 
in understanding better the amount of spectrum presently available to 
provide particular services (or similar services) and estimates of the 
amount of additional spectrum in each frequency band that the commenter 
believes is needed.
    Instructions for Commenters: Commenters are encouraged to address 
any or all of the questions in this RFC. Comments that contain 
references to studies, research, and other empirical data that are not 
widely published should include copies of the referenced materials with 
the submitted comments. Comments submitted by email should be machine-
readable and should not be copy-protected. Comments submitted by mail 
may be in hard copy (paper) or electronic (on CD-ROM or disk). 
Commenters should include the name of the person or organization filing 
the comment, as well as a page number on each page of their 
submissions. All comments received are a part of the public record and 
generally will be posted on the NTIA website, https://www.ntia.doc.gov, 
without change. All personal identifying information (for example, 
name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.

    Dated: December 18, 2018.
David J. Redl,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-27690 Filed 12-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P