News and Events

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today they will host the 12th Annual International Symposium on Advanced Radio Technologies (ISART) on July 27-29, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado.  This year’s conference will focus on developing policies and processes to maximize the efficient use of spectrum resources, with particular attention on radar bands and technologies.

Oral Statement of

The Honorable Lawrence E. Strickling

Before the

Subcommittee on Communications and Technology

Committee on Energy and Commerce

Hearing on “Federal Government Spectrum Use”

July 6, 2011

[As prepared for delivery]

As part of BTOP’s comprehensive oversight of its grant recipients, I recently spent several days in North Carolina conducting an on-site review of two broadband infrastructure projects.

This month I had the honor of hosting our Federal, State and local partners as we formally kicked off the construction phase of the One Maryland: Inter-County Broadband Network (ICBN) Recovery Act funded-project. This project is important to me because it will allow the State of Maryland to bring sorely needed broadband resources to every corner of the State and foster cooperation across many layers of government.

Yesterday I was happy to participate in a panel discussion about broadband at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) annual conference in San Antonio. NALEO members recognize that broadband Internet is one of the tools necessary to help their communities thrive in today's economy. In fact, I think that any conference focused on building stronger communities should include a discussion of broadband - it's a critical ingredient for job creation, economic growth, and improving education, health care, and public safety.

I. Introduction

Chairman Walden, Ranking Member Eshoo, Vice Chairman Terry, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding the Federal Government's use of the radio spectrum. I am very pleased to describe NTIA's efforts to maximize the efficient and effective Federal use of spectrum and our work to identify and reallocate spectrum to meet the Nation's rapidly-growing demand for wireless broadband.

-As prepared for delivery-

I am pleased to be here to speak in support of the draft communiqué on Internet policymaking principles.  While previous speakers have discussed certain of the substantive provisions, I will focus my remarks on a key process for Internet policymaking—the multistakeholder model.

The United States enthusiastically and vigorously supports the use of the multistakeholder process as the preferred means of responding to Internet policy challenges.

Background: Today at a meeting in Paris, France, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries and other stakeholders agreed to a set of principles to guide Internet-related policy-making in member countries. The principles resulting from this multi-stakeholder process are in this communiqué: http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/40/21/48289796.pdf

The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration today announced the award of a sole source contract to ICANN to perform technical functions supporting the Internet Domain Name system.

The department on February 21, 2006 issued a Request for Information to conduct market research about whether there were other qualified entities to perform these functions.

New Version of InterNIC Website to be Launched December 1

Testimony of J. Beckwith Burr
Associate Administrator of the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
for International Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce
before the House Committee on Commerce
Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection
on the Future of the Domain Name System

June 10, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, for this opportunity to report on progress towards transitioning management of the Internet domain name system ("DNS") to the private sector.

Thank you to NCTA for inviting me to speak here today.

I’ve had the pleasure of attending many Cable Shows over the years and I am especially pleased to attend the inaugural show for your new President and CEO, Michael Powell. I had the great fortune to get to know Michael when he served as a Federal Communications Commissioner back when I worked for Chairman Kennard and he is a first-rate guy. He is smart and knowledgeable and extremely curious but most importantly, just a really good guy.

The following statement can be attributed to Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling:

Earlier this month, I saw firsthand the benefits of our sustainable broadband adoption projects when I attended a graduation ceremony in D.C. Byte Back, a BTOP grantee partner, held a ceremony for adults who completed computer and jobs-skills training courses. At the graduation I met students who showed me how these courses are enabling them to cross the digital divide and open doors to new opportunities.

Today, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke launched DigitalLiteracy.gov, a new online portal to help Americans find jobs and obtain the 21st century skills being sought by today’s employers.

Supplies on hand? Check.
Equipment cataloged? Check.
Student union volunteers standing by? Check.

-As prepared for delivery-

The Commerce Department today announced it has signed a Joint Project Agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to continue the transition of the coordination of the technical functions relating to the management of the Internet Domain Name and Addressing System to the private sector. It focuses on institutionalizing transparency and accountability mechanisms in the management of the Internet domain name and addressing system.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that establishes a long-lasting framework for the technical coordination of the Internet’s domain name and addressing system (DNS).

Research confirms that digital opportunity depends not only on access to computers and broadband, but the competencies necessary to successfully navigate the online world and be more competitive in the 21st century. America’s libraries are on the forefront of connecting learners of all ages with formal and informal digital literacy skills training, as well as access to a wide range of technology resources.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced the appointment of a diverse group of experts from outside the Federal government, including the nonprofit and private sectors, for a two-year term to the Commerce Spectrum Advisory Committee (CSMAC).  Committee members will provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of spectrum policy issues with the goal of strengthening the U.S.

Introduction

Introduction