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NTIA Training Helps Federal Spectrum Managers

Agencies across the federal government use spectrum to perform critical functions from predicting the weather to air traffic control. But they may not be as familiar with NTIA’s role in this process and how we ensure agencies have the airwaves they need to carry out critical missions for the American people.

NTIA manages the federal government's use of spectrum, ensuring that the United States’ domestic and international spectrum needs are met while making efficient use of this limited resource. As part of this effort, twice a year we offer training in the latest tools, techniques, trends and issues to federal spectrum managers to better meet the requirements of their job.

NTIA’s Edward Drocella meets with participants at the most recent spectrum training session
NTIA’s Edward Drocella meets with participants at the most recent spectrum training session. (click for large version)

Earlier this month, we wrapped up our latest introductory-level course. It provided participants with information on the fundamentals of spectrum management, a basic technical overview of spectrum principles and terminology as well as the NTIA system and equipment certification and frequency assignment processes and procedures. It also offered hands-on demonstrations of NTIA’s spectrum management software tools and spectrum analysis modeling software.

This latest session attracted officials like Dr. Mangala Sharma, program director in the National Science Foundation’s Division of Astronomical Sciences, who has only recently been assigned with the spectrum management responsibilities for her agency. For her agency, the most important aspect of spectrum management is ensuring “the sciences can coexist” with other federal and non-federal systems that utilize spectrum, she said. While not a major spectrum user compared to agencies like the Defense Department or the Federal Aviation Administration, NSF needs spectrum for everything from radar systems to the most sensitive radio telescopes.

NTIA’s next training session for federal spectrum managers will take place in mid-May. In September, NTIA will be teaming with the United States Telecommunications Training Institute for a course aimed at telecommunications regulators from the developing world. The course will cover national spectrum planning and policy, spectrum management principles, engineering analysis, and computer-aided techniques. It also offers participants a chance to interact with key spectrum officials from NTIA and other federal agencies and international organizations active in wireless telecommunications policy.

The United States is viewed as a leader in spectrum management throughout the world. NTIA’s training helps ensure spectrum users throughout the federal government have the skills and expertise necessary for the U.S. federal government to remain an effective and efficient user of spectrum.