Recommendations for Implementing Commerce Department’s National Spectrum Strategy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 9, 2024 – Aspen Digital, a policy program of the Aspen Institute, today published recommendations for addressing growing demands on US spectrum resources. The report builds on insights Aspen Digital released in 2022, in advance of the US Department of Commerce’s National Spectrum Strategy, issued in 2023.

Implementing the National Spectrum Strategy derives from discussion among a working group Aspen Digital convened in July 2024, where over 40 public, private, and governmental leaders convened to shape the future of US spectrum policy.

Wireless technologies connect the nation, drive economic growth, and reshape key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and public services. As demand for these technologies accelerates, the US must adapt its spectrum policies to ensure continued global leadership and innovation. Implementing the National Spectrum Strategy offers a roadmap for balancing national security, economic considerations, public safety, and innovation.

“This report builds on the collaborative work of industry and government leaders,” said Vivian Schiller, VP and Executive Director, Aspen Digital. “It provides a clear path forward for bipartisan policymakers and lawmakers to establish principled, forward-looking policies that will sustain the US’s leadership in wireless technologies for decades to come.”

Five Key Recommendations to Guide US Spectrum Policy

The report provides five core recommendations aimed at shaping a principled and science-based spectrum policy:

1. Reinforce Forward-Looking Policies: Strengthen national spectrum policies that anticipate future demands and opportunities.
2. Balance Values and Perspectives: Integrate considerations of national security, economic growth, innovation, and public safety into spectrum decision-making.
3. Innovate to Expand Spectrum Access: Identify new opportunities for both federal and non-federal spectrum access, and develop and implement effective spectrum sharing technologies, governance frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms.
4. Enhance Coordination: Foster improved collaboration across US agencies and international stakeholders to ensure a harmonized spectrum approach.
5. Build on Past Achievements: Continue to refine the recommendations presented in the 2022 Aspen Digital report, incorporating the latest insights from 2024.

The report provides details, including legislative and regulatory improvements, to support these recommendations. As spectrum demands grow, the report emphasizes the importance of bipartisan collaboration to create policies that are flexible, adaptable, and driven by science. The US can build on its history of successful spectrum auctions and its leadership in spectrum policy by ensuring that policies are aligned with the nation’s future needs.

Aspen Digital’s cross-sector collaborative report provides actionable insights to address the evolving spectrum needs of both commercial and government sectors. To read the full report, visit: www.aspendigital.org/report/national-spectrum-strategy.