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
Testimony by Assistant Secretary Strickling, “Digital Divide: Expanding Broadband Access to Small Businesses”
Testimony of
The Honorable Lawrence E. Strickling
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
United States Department of Commerce
Before the
Committee on Small Business
United States House of Representatives
Hearing entitled
“Digital Divide: Expanding Broadband Access to Small Businesses”
July 18, 2012
Technical Panel and Dispute Resolution Board NPRM
NTIA proposes to adopt regulations governing the Technical Panel and dispute resolution boards established by Congress to facilitate the relocation of, and spectrum sharing with, U.S. Government stations in spectrum bands reallocated from Federal use to non-Federal use or to shared use. This action is necessary to ensure the timely relocation of Federal entities’ spectrum related operations and, where applicable, the timely implementation of arrangements for the sharing of radio frequencies. Comments are due on or before August 1, 2012.
Department of Commerce Takes Next Step in Unleashing Wireless Broadband Revolution
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Commerce, through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), today announced its finding that 95 megahertz (MHz) of prime spectrum could be repurposed for wireless broadband use. Reallocation of this spectrum would represent significant progress towards achieving President Obama’s goal to nearly double the amount of commercial spectrum available this decade.