A new Government Accountability Office report on spectrum management requested by Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas was released on Monday indicating agencies should strengthen collaborative mechanisms and processes to address potential interference.
The report examined how spectrum interference concerns were treated during the design of the FCC’s 24 GHz spectrum auction. It also focused on how NASA and NOAA assess and communicate their spectrum concerns to ensure science equities are adequately protected.
“It’s critical that we have a workable process in place to manage disputes about how we allocate spectrum frequencies, but this GAO report makes it clear that there are significant gaps in how federal agencies work together to resolve these conflicts,” said Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK).
He said it’s clear that demands on the spectrum will grow as 5G deployment expands and the Internet of Things grows.
” All stakeholders, from federal agencies to private companies, need a spectrum allocation process that is fair, transparent, and provides certainty for decision making, particularly as we negotiate internationally over spectrum issues,” added Rep. Lucas. “This report provides a good framework for the actions we must take to ensure we’re taking a deliberative and scientific approach to balancing all of our spectrum needs.”
Lucas and committee chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson asked for the GAO report in December 2019.