News and Events

Today, NTIA sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission ahead of a scheduled Commission vote on a report and order in a proceeding to make more spectrum available for advanced communications services, including 5G and satellite broadband. NTIA applauds the Commission for teeing up action that will help advance important U.S. economic and national security objectives.

Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it is transitioning to NTIA.gov, replacing its NTIA.doc.gov domain. This change will make NTIA’s site consistent with most other Department of Commerce websites.

Statement of Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator David Redl on the appointment of Grace Koh to lead the U.S. delegation to the World Radiocommunications Conference 2019, to take place Oct. 28-Nov. 22 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt:

Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it is collaborating with eight states to broaden and update the national broadband availability map. The eight states – California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia – will contribute data and other inputs to the map.

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Transportation released the preliminary funding allocations for the 911 Grant Program that will offer up to $110 million to help states, territories, tribal organizations and the District of Columbia upgrade their 911 call centers to Next Generation (NG911) capabilities.

Today, NTIA released comments it received in response to a December 21, 2018, Request for Comments on the development of a comprehensive, long-term National Spectrum Strategy.

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Request for Comments (RFC) seeking public input on the development of a comprehensive, long-term National Spectrum Strategy.

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross conducted the official swearing-in of seven new or re-appointed members to serve on the Board of the FirstNet Responder Network Authority. The Board oversees the activities of FirstNet to ensure that its public-private partnership with AT&T continues to successfully develop, build, and operate a nationwide broadband network that will equip first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities.

Today, NTIA released comments it received in response to a September 25, 2018, request for comment on a high-level framework for protecting consumer data privacy. We received over 200 comments from individuals, industry associations, companies, civil society, and academics.

NTIA and Verisign have agreed to extend and modify the Cooperative Agreement. These modifications are in line with policy priorities of the Trump Administration. The changes create a new commitment to content neutrality in the Domain Name System (DNS), provide market-based pricing flexibility, and reduce the regulatory burden on Verisign.

Statement of Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator David Redl on the election of Doreen Bogdan-Martin as Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau:

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the appointment of six leaders in public safety, technology and network financing to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Request for Comments on a proposed approach to consumer data privacy designed to provide high levels of protection for individuals, while giving organizations legal clarity and the flexibility to innovate.

Today, NTIA and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announced that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has reappointed Edward Horowitz to the FirstNet Board and named him Chair of the Board for a two-year term. Additionally, FirstNet Authority CEO Mike Poth has accepted a position in the private sector and will assist with transition efforts before leaving his position at the end of September.

Today, FirstNet Board Chair Sue Swenson and Vice Chair Jeffrey Johnson notified Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Redl of their resignation from the FirstNet board. Formal letters of resignation have been submitted to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Transportation announced final rules for a grant program that will offer up to $110 million to help states, territories, tribal organizations and the District of Columbia upgrade their 911 call centers to Next Generation (NG911) capabilities.

BACKGROUND:  In 2011, China Mobile applied for a Section 214 license through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer telecommunications services from within the United States. Per international licensing procedures, the FCC requested Executive Branch views on whether the application for the license was in the public interest of the United States.

The following statement is from David J. Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, U.S. Department of Commerce:

Today, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator David J. Redl issued the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission's vote on actions to open access to high-band spectrum for 5G connectivity:

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a report that offers a guide to government, civil society and industry actions that would dramatically reduce the threat of botnets and similar cyberattacks.

Today, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator David J. Redl issued the following statements on the Federal Communications Commission's vote approving a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to streamline the licensing process for small satellites:

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced a five-year cooperative research and development agreement with the University of Colorado Boulder to develop a wireless test bed. NTIA’s Boulder-based Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) will work with the university to install spectrum monitoring sensors throughout the CU Boulder campus, with data to be available to both parties for spectrum management research.

Today, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator David J. Redl issued the following statement on the passing of Ray Baum, staff director for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce:

WASHINGTON –  Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a draft report to President Trump in response to the May 11, 2017, Presidential Executive Order on Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure.

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) announced that all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have accepted FirstNet and AT&T’s proposals to design and build a broadband network for the public safety community. Guam, the Pacific Territories of American Samoa, and the Mariana Islands have until March 12, 2018, to make their decision.

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the issuing of a notice of proposed rulemaking that outlines implementing regulations for the 911 Grant Program.