Federal government hears comments on National Spectrum Strategy at listening session hosted by SpectrumX at Notre Dame

Christina Clark on April 21, 2023

The University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center became a national stage to host discussions on the formation of the U.S. National Spectrum Strategy on April 11, 2023. City employees, corporate representatives, trade associations and university researchers gave their input at the second of two National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Listening Sessions.

WSRD Workshop: Making Data Available for National Spectrum Management

Christina Clark on April 19, 2023

From the National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce (NIST) workshop website:

This co-hosted workshop will identify challenge associated with obtaining, disseminating, and using data about spectrum to support policy making, operations, and R&D with applications to spectrum sharing and optimization through improves analysis, modeling and prediction. Discuss ideas for resolution of these challenges through the action of researchers, industry, agencies, regulators, or legislators with potential inputs to R&D agency prioritization and the National Spectrum Strategy.

Learn more, see the agenda, and register here: Workshop Registration

Notre Dame to host listening session on national radio spectrum strategy

SpectrumX on March 21, 2023

On Tuesday, April 11, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will hold a listening session at the University of Notre Dame to garner broad input about future spectrum allocations. The listening session is open to the general public, to attend as well as to potentially speak, and will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Patricia George Decio Theatre at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Local and state policymakers and regional industry leaders are especially encouraged to participate as speakers.

NTIA seeks feedback on future airwaves for innovative technologies; SpectrumX to host a listening session at the University of Notre Dame

SpectrumX on March 16, 2023

WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on Wednesday began seeking comment on identifying airwaves for more intensive use and innovative new uses by both the private sector and federal agencies.

NTIA’s National Spectrum Strategy Request for Comment seeks input on creating a spectrum pipeline for the next decade of frequencies that could be studied for new or additional uses. The agency’s goal is to identify at least 1,500 megahertz of spectrum to study for potential repurposing – perhaps the most ambitious study goal for NTIA to date – to meet future requirements for non-federal and federal users.

SpectrumX leadership participate in URSI National Radio Science Meeting

Christina Clark on February 23, 2023

In early January, radio science researchers from across the United States and beyond came together for the National Radio Science Meeting (NRSM) at the University of Colorado Boulder. The meeting was attended by six SpectrumX members, who hosted workshops and participated in multiple panel discussions. The NRSM is sponsored by the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Radio Science.

Radio Shop Chat / International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 101

Tiffanie Sammons on December 6, 2022

Jonathan Williams, Program Director, Electromagnetic Spectrum Management, Astronomical Sciences Division, National Science Foundation

Abstract:

One of the first challenges recognized in spectrum management was the fact that radio waves don’t stop at borders. This led to the reorganization of the International Telegraph Union as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1932, and since 1947, this United Nations Specialized Agency has been responsible for bringing order to what would otherwise be international chaos in the management of the radio spectrum. Through the diplomatic efforts of 193 member states and over 700 other participating organizations, ITU is tasked with maintaining and supporting the International Radio Regulations, and also serves as a primary venue for the development and dissemination of information for the use of the spectrum. These responsibilities have impacts effects down to the domestic regulatory level, and as we approach the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference, awareness of and participation in the ITU process and proceedings are critical to understanding and guiding spectrum use developments.

Bio:

Jonathan Williams is an electronics engineer and astrophysicist, and has almost 20 years experience in radio spectrum management. He started at NTIA in interference analysis and evaluation, and subsequently spent 12 years working in international spectrum management in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) proceedings, leading U.S. spectrum policy development and representation on multiple issues through international diplomacy.

In 2017, he joined the National Science Foundation, and serves as NSF’s coordinating spectrum manager. In this role, he represents all of NSF in both domestic and international spectrum management proceedings. Additionally, he works with a team of innovators and experts from multiple disciplines across the Foundation to develop solutions to spectrum challenges, and leverage NSF’s core competencies in funding research and development, including NSF’s Spectrum Innovation Initiative, which provided initial funding for the SpectrumX Center, workforce development, multidisciplinary research, and the nascent National Radio Dynamic Zone program.

Registration Required

October SpectrumX Center Meeting a Success

Christina Clark on October 24, 2022

The SpectrumX Center Meeting on October 3 and 4, held at the University of Virginia (UVA), brought together over 65 learners and leaders for cross-cutting discussions on timely and interdisciplinary topics.

“The meeting provided an opportunity for students, researchers, stakeholders, and professionals in policy making to come together at UVA to discuss some of the most important subjects in our field,” said Bobby Weikle, SpectrumX Steering Committee Chair and Radio and Network Technologies Research Lead, and Professor at the University of Virginia. “UVA has a long history of collaboration with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), and it was a great opportunity to bring their teams and our center together in-person and online.”

Charla Rath

Christina Clark on June 14, 2022

Charla Rath is current co-chair of the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory

Committee (CSMAC) and former Verizon Vice President – Wireless Policy Development. At Verizon, Charla was responsible for developing and managing the company’s public policy initiatives related to spectrum management, particularly focusing on alternative spectrum auction mechanisms and sources of spectrum for next generation wireless networks, including 5G. Previously at Verizon Wireless, alongside the company’s business development and network planning groups, Charla identified and addressed the key policy and regulatory issues that enabled Verizon Wireless to secure a nationwide spectrum footprint.

Prior to joining Verizon Wireless, Charla was Vice President – Strategic Affiliations, of NextWave Telecom Inc. and Vice President of Freedom Technologies, Inc., a Washington, DC-based telecommunications consulting firm.

Charla also served as advisor to FCC Chairman Alfred C. Sikes on common carrier and spectrum policy issues and as a primary specialist in spectrum and internet policy at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Charla has an MA in science, technology, and public policy from The George Washington University and a BSFS (Foreign Service) in international economics and finance from Georgetown University.