NTIA 'Lost Its Way' in 3.1-3.55 GHz Report, O'Rielly Says
“NTIA has obviously lost its way,” FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said in a statement to us on Monday’s report on the 3.1-3.55 GHz band (see 2007070062). “If the immediate need for additional licensed spectrum weren’t so important for US 5G…
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competitiveness, then maybe NTIA’s report on a critical spectrum band wouldn’t be so unnerving,” he said: “It is a timid and late review of the lower 3 GHz band, which almost everyone recognizes as a critical piece to help fulfill our current spectrum needs.” The C band and citizens broadband radio service band “are wonderful, and I have lead the charge to free up those bands, but 350 megahertz of licensed spectrum is not enough,” O’Rielly said. “The administration has generally done a good job on these issues, and I trust it is taking a much more aggressive approach on spectrum policy,” he said. NTIA has participated in the administration's efforts to ensure the U.S. leads the world in 5G, a spokesperson said, responding to O’Rielly. “We have an extensive track record of working with federal agencies and the FCC to make spectrum available to the private sector so they can deploy these game-changing advanced networks,” the spokesperson said: “NTIA also must ensure that critical, spectrum-dependent national security missions can be maintained. We do not have the luxury of ignoring the U.S. military's need for this vital public resource to keep our country safe.”