HTSC Congratulates President Obama and the Administration for Targeting 115 MHz of Federal Spectrum for Wireless Bro

HTSC Lauds NTIA Endorsement of Voluntary Incentive Auctions

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The High Tech Spectrum Coalition (HTSC) today congratulated the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for announcing its plans to reallocate 115 MHz of Federal Spectrum for wireless broadband. HTSC also strongly supported NTIA’s endorsement of granting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voluntary incentive auction authority.

The NTIA has released a report, “Assessment of the Near-Term Viability of Accommodating Wireless Broadband Systems in the 1675-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, 3500-3650 MHz, and 4200-4220 MHz, 4380-4400 MHz Bands.” This “Fast Track” analysis recommended the reallocation of 115 MHz of spectrum for wireless broadband over the next five years. The NTIA also released a long-term report, “Plan and Timetable to Make Available 500 Megahertz of Spectrum for Wireless Broadband.” This “Ten Year Plan” outlined the approach and methodology that will be used in carrying out the President’s June 2010 Memorandum calling for NTIA and the FCC to make 500 MHz of spectrum available for fixed and mobile wireless broadband over the next ten years. It also called upon Congress to allow the FCC to hold voluntary incentive auctions.

“Wireless broadband will speed growth in our economy; the NTIA report shows that President Obama’s Administration realizes the urgent need for spectrum for broadband. It is our hope that this spectrum can be reallocated quickly, and that Congress heeds the call to pass legislation allowing the FCC to obtain necessary spectrum by all means possible,” said Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

“The HTSC was formed to help find constructive solutions for addressing the looming spectrum shortage. NTIA’s identification of 115 MHz of spectrum for wireless broadband yesterday was a great first step toward meeting the National Broadband Plan’s goals. Voluntary incentive auctions are one of the main tools in helping us cross the finish line and it is our hope Congress acts quickly to give that authority to the FCC,” said Dean Garfield, President and CEO of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).

“HTSC is committed to aiding the Administration in its efforts to free up spectrum for broadband; it is the path to better education, health care, energy efficiency, and public safety. We are very pleased with the NTIA’s reports and plans to provide up 115 MHz of federal spectrum for wireless broadband. We are eager to see the results of the planned examination of additional spectrum by the NTIA, and offer our resources to see that president Obama’s spectrum agenda is executed,” said Brian Toohey, President of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

President Obama has called on Federal agencies to work together to identify 500 MHz for wireless broadband by 2020, and the NTIA’s reports show that they are delivering. NTIA has carefully examined specific Federal bands, and, by targeting 115 MHz of spectrum for broadband and urging Congress to give the FCC voluntary incentive auction authority, offered Americans a path to further harness the power of the Internet and spur innovation, investment, and job creation. “HTSC is willing to work with NTIA to ensure that the 115 MHz NTIA has identified is available in as widespread a manner as possible.” said Grant Seiffert, President of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).

The High Tech Spectrum Coalition (HTSC) was established to push for legislation that will give the FCC authority to hold voluntary incentive (two-sided) auctions of spectrum, as called for in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) released on March 16, 2010. HTSC members include the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).

CONTACT:

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
Megan Pollock, 703-907-7668
e-mail: mpollock@CE.org
or
Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
Ashley Simmons, 202-626-5725
e-mail: asimmons@itic.org
or
Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)
Kirsten Romer, 202-446-1707
e-mail: kromer@sia-online.org
or
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
Michael Snyder, 703-907-7723
e-mail: msnyer@tiaonline.org

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Virginia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Technology  Consumer Electronics  Internet  Networks  Telecommunications  Public Policy/Government  Congressional News/Views  Mobile/Wireless  Public Policy  White House/Federal Government

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