Amateur Radio and the Growth of the Spectrum Workforce in the US National Spectrum Strategy
Zero Retries is an independent newsletter by Steve Stroh N8GNJ that promotes technological innovation that is occurring in Amateur Radio, and Amateur Radio as (literally) a license to experiment with and learn about radio technology.
What follows are excerpts from the [Biden-Harris Administration] National Spectrum Strategy (NSS), which was published 2023-11-13, and the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)’s 2024 Spectrum Policy Symposium, which was held 2024-02-01 that are relevant to US Amateur Radio and the mission of Zero Retries… and the perspective of Zero Retries Editor Steve Stroh N8GNJ.
As such, the following may provide an incomplete perspective of the totality of the NSS and the information and perspectives provided at the 2024 Spectrum Symposium. Thus, links to the NSS and the Symposium video recordings are provided for those that wish to “dive deeper” than this focused perspective.
Sections:
Relevance of Pillar Four of the National Spectrum Strategy to US Amateur Radio
Background - National Spectrum Strategy Document
Introduction
President Biden has called radio frequency spectrum one of “our Nation’s most important national resources.” To promote innovation and U.S. leadership in wireless technologies, the Biden-Harris Administration has committed to careful planning and cooperation among government agencies and the private sector. As required by the Presidential Memorandum titled Modernizing United States Spectrum Policy and Establishing a National Spectrum Strategy, the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), prepared this National Spectrum Strategy to both promote private-sector innovation and further the missions of federal departments and agencies, submitting it to the President through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The Strategy reflects collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), recognizing the FCC’s unique responsibilities with respect to non-Federal uses of spectrum, and coordination with other Federal departments and agencies (referred to collectively here as “agencies”). In carrying out this task, NTIA conducted extensive public outreach through a request for comment, two public listening sessions, two Tribal Nation consultations, and one-on-one meetings with stakeholders. NTIA has made this information, as well as supplemental comments filed by stakeholders, publicly available. NTIA also sought and received written comments and guidance from Federal agencies and hosted a Government-only listening session to gather additional feedback.
The result is a comprehensive strategy to modernize spectrum policy and make the most efficient use possible of this vital national resource to enhance the quality of life for all Americans. This Strategy will expand access to advanced wireless broadband networks and technologies, whether terrestrial-, airspace-, satellite- or space-based, for all Americans. And it will drive technological innovation (including innovative spectrum sharing technologies); boost U.S. industrial competitiveness; protect the security of the American people; foster scientific advancements; promote digital equity and inclusion; and maintain U.S. leadership in global markets for wireless equipment and services, as well as innovative spectrum-sharing technologies—all essential priorities for the Biden-Harris Administration.
There are four “Pillars” of the National Spectrum Strategy:
Pillar One - A Spectrum Pipeline to Ensure U.S. Leadership in Advanced and Emerging TechnologiesPillar Two - Collaborative Long-Term Planning to Support the Nation’s Evolving Spectrum NeedsPillar Three - Unprecedented Spectrum Innovation, Access, and Management through Technology DevelopmentPillar Four - Expanded Spectrum Expertise and Elevated National Awareness
Expanded description of Pillar Four:
Pillar Four | Expanded Spectrum Expertise and Elevated National Awareness
Preparing a well-trained U.S. workforce is essential to the policy proposals, potential investments in technologies, and research initiatives described in this Strategy. All stakeholders, including industry, academia, state, local and Tribal governments, as well as the Federal Government, must have a spectrum workforce with the necessary skills to work across current and emerging technologies.
We must also prepare the spectrum workforce of the next generation for a globally competitive environment where innovation is a key to successful national economic growth and spectrum access in support of critical Federal missions. We are committed to a diverse, broad-based workforce that enables the United States to maintain its global leadership.
Within Pillar Four are three Strategic Objectives:
Strategic Objective 4.1 | Attract, train, and grow the current and next-generation spectrum workforce.Strategic Objective 4.2 | Improve policymakers’ understanding of spectrum considerations.Strategic Objective 4.3 | Improve the public’s understanding of radio frequency spectrum and raise awareness of its role in everyday life.
Relevance of Pillar Four of the National Spectrum Strategy to US Amateur Radio
The discussion of Pillar 4 of the [Biden-Harris Administration] National Spectrum Strategy…
Pillar 4 Panel Discussion: Growth of the Spectrum Workforce, Increased Understanding of spectrum, and Raised Awareness of spectrum’s Importance to the Country
… directly relates to the utility, and perhaps the importance of Amateur Radio - if the need for rapidly growing the “Spectrum Workforce” is truly considered important and urgent.)
The concept of “growing the “Spectrum Workforce” is enshrined into US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulation § 97.1 - Basis and purpose:
The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art.
(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.
(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
Note particularly (b), (c), and (d).
It’s understated and often overlooked, but note this key phrase, with relevance to the discussion of “Pillar 4 of the NSS”:
… a voluntary noncommercial communication service
Individuals become involved in Amateur Radio (and related radio technology hobby activities) purely on a voluntary basis, out of interest in radio technology (and other facets of Amateur Radio). Often, involvement in Amateur Radio evolves from exposure to STEM - Science / Technology / Engineering / Math subjects, either from personal interest, or exposure during formal education. Individuals must study technical subjects to pass an Amateur Radio examination, must understand and uphold their responsibilities as licensed Amateur Radio Operators, and must even pay a modest fee to the FCC to obtain and renew their Amateur Radio License.
After obtaining one’s Amateur Radio license, there is the expense of purchasing and operating Amateur Radio equipment (station) and other costs to participate in Amateur Radio activities such as paying dues to Amateur Radio clubs, and fees to travel to and attend Amateur Radio conferences.
In short, Amateur Radio Operators undergo considerable commitment to being Amateur Radio Operators. Voluntarily, and at some expense, self-educate themselves on subjects of radio technology.
Thus Amateur Radio Operators are ideal candidates for inclusion into the “Spectrum Workforce as explained in Strategic Objective 4.1:
Preparing a well-trained U.S. workforce is essential to the policy proposals, potential investments in technologies, and research initiatives described in this Strategy. All stakeholders, including industry, academia, state, local and Tribal governments, as well as the Federal Government, must have a spectrum workforce with the necessary skills to work across current and emerging technologies.
We must also prepare the spectrum workforce of the next generation for a globally competitive environment where innovation is a key to successful national economic growth and spectrum access in support of critical Federal missions.
and …
Attract, train, and grow the current and next- generation spectrum workforce.
…
A well-trained workforce that can fill critical spectrum-related jobs across all relevant sectors is essential to ensuring that the spectrum ecosystem remains effective, efficient, and responsive to the evolving needs of the wireless ecosystem and society at large.
Yet… despite the obvious synergy of US Amateur Radio Operators voluntarily training themselves on radio technology…
There is no mention… whatsoever… or even a hint, vague reference, etc. to the existence of Amateur Radio in the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Spectrum Strategy (NSS). That, despite the Amateur Radio Service being one of the radio services administered by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the FCC’s involvement in the creation of the NSS:
The Strategy reflects collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), recognizing the FCC’s unique responsibilities with respect to non-Federal uses of spectrum, and coordination with other Federal departments and agencies (referred to collectively here as “agencies”).
The potential of Amateur Radio to accelerate the stated goals of Pillar 4, notably Strategic Objective 4.1:
Attract, train, and grow the current and next-generation spectrum workforce.
and Strategic Objective 4.3:
Improve the public’s understanding of radio frequency spectrum and raise awareness of its role in everyday life.
… seems to have been overlooked, or ignored, or simply unknown. But …
Who… better???… to help realize these goals than US Amateur Radio Operators?
I have tried to make the case in Zero Retries that the “Spectrum Workforce crisis” (using the verbiage of the National Spectrum Strategy) is very real. That crisis is that much of the radio technology in the US such as mobile telephones, satellite communications and navigation, Wi-Fi, etc. that are now an integral, inseparable… part of our daily lives as a technological society, is increasingly developed and manufactured outside the US. Without a sufficiently large, well-qualified “Spectrum Workforce”, the US is at a significant disadvantage in its use of radio technology developed in other countries… some of which are openly hostile to the US.
Background - 2024 NTIA Spectrum Policy Symposium
Implementing the National Spectrum Strategy
The 2024 NTIA Spectrum Symposium is focused on implementing the National Spectrum Strategy (NSS), which the White House released on Nov. 13, 2023, along with a presidential memorandum on “Modernizing United States Spectrum Policy and Establishing a National Spectrum Strategy.”
NTIA’s sixth annual Spectrum Policy Symposium took place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on February 1, 2024. The Symposium, a hallmark event showcasing the Commerce Department’s leadership in national spectrum policy and management, has served as the chief forum for the Executive Branch to assess current technology and policy trends in key markets for wireless goods and services, including for 5G broadband, satellite communications, and Unmanned Aviation Systems (UAS). The Symposium provides a forum for NTIA, with our federal partners, to advance the nation’s goals for spectrum policy, and to obtain input from non-government stakeholders. The Symposium will presage the release of an NSS Implementation Plan in mid-March.
The event included keynote speeches by key policy-makers from the White House, the Department of Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission. Keynote Speeches and Panel Discussions focused on implementation of the four "pillars" of the National Spectrum Strategy, how they can be implemented by the Administration, and the National Spectrum Strategy’s impact on spectrum management coordination and national spectrum policies.
Transcript of 2024 NTIA Spectrum Policy Symposium, Panel Session - Pillar Four - Growth of the Spectrum Workforce
The following transcript was assembled from the very rough machine translation provided by the video recording of YouTube: