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Spectrum Management

Protecting a Vital, Limited Resource

Overview

Many Federal agencies use radio frequency spectrum to perform vital operations. NTIA manages the Federal government's use of spectrum, ensuring that America's domestic and international spectrum needs are met while making efficient use of this limited resource. NTIA carries out this responsibility with assistance and advice from the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee and by:

  • establishing and issuing policy regarding allocations and regulations governing the Federal spectrum use;
  • developing plans for the peacetime and wartime use of the spectrum;
  • preparing for, participating in, and implementing the results of international radio conferences;
  • assigning frequencies;
  • maintaining spectrum use databases;
  • reviewing Federal agencies' new telecommunications systems and certifying that spectrum will be available;
  • providing the technical engineering expertise needed to perform specific spectrum resources assessments and automated computer capabilities needed to carry out these investigations;
  • participating in all aspects of the Federal government's communications related emergency readiness activities; and
  • participating in Federal government telecommunications and automated information systems security activities.

Related content


Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act Annual Progress Report for 2020

August 16, 2021

NTIA submits this report pursuant to Section 207 of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act (CSEA), Title II of Pub. L. 108-494, which requires annual reporting on federal agencies’ progress to relocate radio communications systems from spectrum or share spectrum that has been reallocated to commercial use. This report provides details on two separate spectrum auctions conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that included: 1) the 1710 to 1755 megahertz (MHz) band, and 2) the 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz bands.

Notice of NTIA's 2021 Spectrum Policy Symposium

August 17, 2021

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce, will host an online symposium on September 21, 2021, focusing on national spectrum policy development and the evolution of new techniques and technologies for federal spectrum management, including spectrum sharing. The symposium will be held on September 21, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

NTIA Comments on Use of the Automatic Identification System

August 6, 2021
WT Docket No. 21-230

NTIA, on behalf of the Executive Branch, hereby comments in response to the Commission’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the above-referenced proceeding. As discussed in more detail in the attached letter from the U.S. Coast Guard to NTIA, maritime safety requires that the use of radio devices produced for the Automatic Identification System be limited to their intended use – which does not currently include marking fishing equipment.

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