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500 MHz Initiative

A 2010 Presidential Memorandum directed the Secretary of Commerce, working through NTIA, to collaborate with the Federal Communications Commission to make available a total of 500 megahertz of Federal and nonfederal spectrum over the next 10 years for mobile and fixed wireless broadband use.

This initiative, to nearly double the amount of commercial spectrum, will spur investment, economic growth, and job creation while supporting the growing demand by consumers and businesses for wireless broadband services.
 

Related content


Quantitative Assessments of Spectrum Usage

November 17, 2016

In this report, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) presents a summary of the results of its quantitative assessments of spectrum usage in response to the 2013 Presidential Memorandum entitled Expanding America’s Leadership in Wireless Innovation. Through this memorandum, the President sought to make more spectrum available by allowing and encouraging shared access by commercial providers to spectrum that is currently allocated for federal use.

Sizing up Spectrum Sharing Prospects

November 17, 2016

NTIA today is announcing the development of another tool to help meet the surging demand for spectrum from industry and government agencies.  It also is the latest demonstration of the Obama Administration’s ongoing commitment to make spectrum available for wireless broadband.

As directed by President Obama in a 2013 Memorandum, NTIA is releasing the Quantitative Assessments of Spectrum Usage that summarizes our initial efforts to evaluate a range of federal spectrum bands for possible sharing with commercial users.  These efforts will provide a basis for further detailed studies of potential sharing scenarios.

Sixth Interim Progress Report on the Ten-Year Plan and Timetable

June 17, 2016

NTIA submits this Sixth Interim Progress Report to describe progress toward achieving the Administration’s directive to identify and make available 500 megahertz of spectrum for licensed and unlicensed wireless broadband services within ten years, while assuring the protection of vital government operations that rely on spectrum. This report covers October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015 (FY15).

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