Strategic Objective 2: Improve Policymakers’ Understanding of Spectrum Considerations
Developing a National Spectrum Strategy
Making decisions for our Nation about the allocation and authorized uses of spectrum is a heavy responsibility. These decisions drive the development and deployment of new systems and technologies, so they have long-term and significant consequences. They require complex, cross-cutting understanding and knowledge of the technical aspects of spectrum use, the economic and legal implications of spectrum allocations, and the potential impacts to critical Federal missions. Weighing the trade-offs between current uses and impacts on incumbents against potential future applications is complicated, with many competing national interests at play.
Spectrum management is an interdisciplinary process that covers multiple intertwined factors, and few, if any, policymakers (e.g., regulators, legislators, community leaders, and spectrum managers) have expertise in all of the relevant fields. But leaders at all levels of government, including Tribal governments, need to understand spectrum issues holistically and have access to spectrum managers and professionals that understand the complexities relative to their interests. Recognizing this need and providing policymakers with foundational information and tools will serve the Nation well as we implement a more strategic spectrum planning process.
The Administration will encourage policymakers at all levels to increase their understanding of spectrum topics such as electromagnetic propagation, spectrum science, spectrum engineering, spectrum management, and spectrum monitoring and measurements. U.S. spectrum-regulating agencies will generate avenues for decision-makers to enhance their understanding of spectrum policy and regulation, including the full range of spectrum management techniques such as spectrum sharing methodologies and licensing schemes, as well as knowledge of non-technical topics such as business models and economics associated with spectrum markets. Ensuring policymakers understand the value-based methodologies being created and their appropriate application will also be important.
Federal organizations that rely on spectrum to perform their missions will be encouraged to ensure sufficient spectrum expertise on their staffs and to train them to communicate in plain language with decision-makers. This will ensure that decisions are made after considering the full range of applicable technical and operational factors.