Koh Apparently Picked to Head US Delegation to WRC; Federal Shutdown Slows Prep
Grace Koh is leaving DLA Piper's telecom practice to join the State Department as head of the U.S. delegation to the World Radiocommunication Conference, the law firm announced. Industry officials said it may be premature and the administration hasn't confirmed the decision.
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It's a complicated time for U.S. preparation for the global conference. With the WRC set to take place later this year in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, U.S. preparation has slowed over the past month because of the partial federal shutdown. WRC-19 is viewed as potentially the most important WRC ever because of its focus on 5G and harmonizing bands (see 1803090032).
The FCC still has two staffers working who are dedicated to the WRC (see 1901170036), but some prep work can’t get done, industry officials said. That includes some industry work under the WRC-19 Advisory Committee and corresponding work on the government’s position by the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee’s Radio Conference Subcommittee. Industry observers said Friday a few weeks in a multiple-year process shouldn’t cause insurmountable problems. The current focus is on the second session of the conference preparatory meeting (CPM) for WRC-19, in Geneva starting Feb. 18.
The government has been scaled back only two weeks, post-holiday season, noted John Kneuer, former NTIA administrator and a veteran of past WRCs. “The WRC agenda and that work is done over years,” he said. “A two-week disruption in a multiyear process is unlikely to be material, but the closer we get to the CPM, the more important it’s going be to have the full complement of government reps and delegation fully engaged.”
“As someone with over 20 years of experience in the WRC preparatory process, I am quite impressed at how the essential federal employees able to continue to support the CPM prep process have performed and how private sector members have stepped up to the plate to assist,” said Jennifer Manner, EchoStar senior vice president-regulatory affairs. She's chair of the FCC’s WRC-19 regulatory issues working group.
“The U.S. government and private sector … participants have formed a community that works, and because of this, the United States will be very well-prepared for success at the upcoming CPM," Manner said. “I am excited to have Grace Koh join this effort as her substantive and leadership experience will be a tremendous asset.”
FCC and NTIA leaders “have made good progress even during the shutdown, so kudos to them and their teams,” said Tom Power, CTIA general counsel and chairman of the FCC’s WRC advisory committee. “Ultimately, the WRC process will have significant implications for America’s 5G strategy, so we are encouraged to see a collaborative interagency process and the direction in which the government is headed.”
The State Department announced everyone there is going back to work this week, “so things are looking good as it gets closer to the CPM next month,” said a former State official. The department and White House didn't comment immediately.
Koh joined DLA Piper in May from the National Economic Council. At NEC, she was a special assistant to President Donald Trump.
“It’s odd for her law firm to announce her departure before State announces its decision to hire her,” said communications lawyer Robert McDowell of Cooley. McDowell sees Koh as a credible choice. “Grace’s gravitas, expertise, background, energy, sound judgment and natural diplomatic demeanor are perfect for this ambassadorship,” he said. “She will walk in the door on day one and continue to build her stellar record.”
The announcement was later taken down from the law firm's website, as apparently was a related tweet. The law firm declined to comment. Koh confirmed that her hiring for WRC-19 ambassador wasn't finalized.
“Grace is a rock star,” said Scott Harris of Harris Wiltshire. “State and all those interested in the ITU process should be thrilled.”
The Wi-Fi Forum welcomes the appointment, said Alex Roytblat, senior director-regulatory affairs. “As the predominant forum to revise the international treaty on radio spectrum use, WRC is critically important to the Wi-Fi industry,” Roytblat emailed. “We are confident that Ms. Koh’s expertise and timely appointment will foster consensus, cooperation and, ultimately, a successful outcome in Sharm el-Sheikh.”
The announcement was in keeping with the usual timing. Decker Anstrom, ambassador to WRC-12, which started Jan. 23, 2012, wasn’t designated ambassador until the previous April (see 1104210104), less than nine months before it started. Anstrom returned as ambassador to the next WRC in 2015. Richard Russell, who like Koh came from the White House, was designated ambassador to WRC-07, which started Oct. 22 that year, in January 2007, also about nine months beforehand.
By law, as a temporary appointee who isn’t confirmed by the Senate, the WRC ambassador can serve six months. In past WRCs, the ambassador designee had several additional months to prepare for the conference.