You can find a PDF of this press release here
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Brittany-Rae Gregory
brittany-rae@nextcenturycities.org
November 14, 2023
Washington, D.C. (November 14, 2023) – This week the White House issued two pieces of literature to address the critical role that spectrum plays in advancing our country. They are The National Spectrum Strategy and a Presidential Memorandum on Modernizing U.S. Spectrum Policy. The four-pillar strategy was developed by the National Telecommunications Information Administration and released on November 13th.
Ryan Johnston, Next Century Cities’ Senior Policy Counsel for Federal Programs, offered the following remarks:
“The average US household has 22 connected devices. These devices depend on the availability of spectrum to keep them connected and able to meet the daily needs of their users. The plan released this week will help safeguard the nation’s wireless growth and streamline practices that would otherwise hamper continued U.S. wireless innovation.
“However, while the strategy presents many positive outcomes for a wireless future, the NTIA and White House must continue to engage with local leaders on the needs and challenges they face in working with wireless connectivity solutions. Municipalities are often critical test beds for new wireless technologies. Without their vital input, this new strategy will fail to address some of the largest spectrum concerns our nation has.
“We applaud the new spectrum strategy, and look forward to continuing to work with the NTIA and White House to share our members’ wireless and spectrum stories.”
Andy Stutzman, Next Century Cities’ Executive Director, commented:
“These new strategies on spectrum access are critical and a positive move towards creating future equitable wireless policies.
“I urge the NTIA and White House to prioritize community feedback and to include them in the discussions and decision making processes and not simply stop at providing education and informational materials.”
A fact sheet on the strategy and memorandum can be found here. You can view NCC’s comments to the NTIA on the national spectrum strategy here.
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