**DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE**

**National Telecommunications and Information Administration**

Docket No. 060602142-6142-01

**The President's Spectrum Policy Initiative -- Spectrum Sharing
Innovation Test-Bed**

**AGENCY:** National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce

**^ACTION:\ ^**^Notice\ of\ Inquiry^

**^SUMMARY:\ ^**^The\ reports\ developed\ by\ the\ U.S.\ Department\ of\ Commerce\ in\ response\ to\ the\ President's\ Spectrum\ Policy\ Initiative\ included\ a\ recommendation\ that\ the\ National\ Telecommunications\ and\ Information\ Administration\ (NTIA)\ and\ the\ Federal\ Communications\ Commission\ (FCC)\ develop\ a\ plan\ to\ increase\ sharing\ of\ spectrum\ between\ federal\ and\ non-federal\ users\ which\ includes\ evaluation\ of\ technologies\ that\ are\ proposed\ to\ enhance\ sharing.0^[^1]^1\ This\ Notice\ seeks\ public\ comment\ to\ address\ the\ implementation\ of\ the\ Spectrum\ Sharing\ Innovation\ Test-Bed\ (Test-Bed)\ where\ federal\ and\ non-federal\ users\ can\ study\ the\ feasibility\ of\ increasing\ the\ efficient\ use\ of\ the\ spectrum.\ \ ^

**^DATES:\ ^**^Written\ comments\ and\ papers\ in\ response\ to\ this\ Notice\ are\ requested\ to\ be\ submitted\ on\ or\ before\ \[30\ days\ after\ publication\ in\ the\ Federal\ Register\].\ ^

**^ADDRESSES:^**^\ Submit\ an\ original\ and\ two\ copies\ of\ written\ comments\ to\ the\ Office\ of\ the\ Chief\ Counsel,\ National\ Telecommunications\ and\ Information\ Administration,\ U.S.\ Department\ of\ Commerce,\ 1401\ Constitution\ Avenue,\ N.W.,\ Room\ 4713,\ Attention:\ Spectrum\ Sharing\ Innovation\ Test-Bed\ Notice,\ Washington,\ DC\ 20230.\ Paper\ submissions\ should\ include\ a\ three\ and\ one-half\ inch\ computer\ diskette\ in\ HTML,\ ASCII,\ Word,\ or\ WordPerfect\ format\ (please\ specify\ version).\ Diskettes\ should\ be\ labeled\ with\ the\ name\ and\ organizational\ affiliation\ of\ the\ filer,\ and\ the\ name\ of\ the\ word\ processing\ program\ used\ to\ create\ the\ document.\ Alternatively,\ comments\ and\ papers\ may\ be\ submitted\ electronically\ to\ testbed@ntia.doc.gov.\ Comments\ submitted\ via\ electronic\ mail\ also\ should\ be\ submitted\ in\ one\ or\ more\ of\ the\ formats\ specified\ above.\ Comments\ submitted\ in\ response\ to\ this\ Notice\ will\ be\ posted\ on\ NTIA's\ website.^

**^FOR\ FURTHER\ INFORMATION^**^:\ For\ questions\ about\ this\ Notice,\ contact:\ Edward\ Drocella,\ National\ Telecommunications\ and\ Information\ Administration,\ U.S.\ Department\ of\ Commerce,\ 1401\ Constitution\ Avenue,\ N.W.,\ Room\ 6725,\ Washington,\ DC\ 20230,\ (202)\ 482-2608,\ or\ edrocella@ntia.doc.gov.^

**^SUPPLEMENTARY\ INFORMATION:^^\ ^**

^I.\ ^**^BACKGROUND^**

In May 2003, President Bush established the Spectrum Policy Initiative
to promote the development and implementation of a United States
spectrum policy for the 21^st^ century. In response to the Spectrum
Policy Initiative, the Secretary of Commerce established a Federal
Government Spectrum Task Force and initiated a series of public meetings
to address policies affecting spectrum use by the federal, state, and
local governments, and the private sector. The recommendations resulting
from these activities were included in two reports released by the
Secretary of Commerce in June 2004 (Commerce Reports). Based on the
recommendations contained in these reports, the President directed the
federal agencies on November 30, 2004, to plan the implementation of the
recommendations contained in the reports.^0^[^2]^2^

One of the recommendations directed NTIA, in coordination with the FCC,
to establish a Test-Bed to examine the feasibility of increased sharing
between federal and non-federal users.^0^[^3]^3^ Specifically, the
Test-Bed recommendation states:

^Within\ two\ years\ of\ this\ report's\ publication,\ NTIA\ and\ the\ FCC\ should\ establish\ a\ pilot\ program\ to\ allow\ for\ increased\ sharing\ between\ federal\ and\ non-federal\ users.\ NTIA\ and\ the\ FCC\ should\ each\ identify\ a\ segment\ of\ spectrum\ of\ equal\ bandwidth\ within\ their\ respective\ jurisdiction\ for\ this\ program.\ Each\ segment\ should\ be\ approximately\ 10\ MHz\ for\ assignment\ on\ a\ shared\ basis\ for\ federal\ and\ non-federal\ use.\ The\ spectrum\ to\ be\ identified\ for\ this\ pilot\ program\ could\ come\ from\ bands\ currently\ allocated\ on\ either\ an\ exclusive\ or\ shared\ basis.\ Two\ years\ after\ the\ inception\ of\ the\ pilot\ program,\ NTIA\ and\ the\ FCC\ should\ provide\ reports\ outlining\ the\ results\ and\ suggesting\ appropriate\ procedures\ for\ expanding\ the\ program\ as\ appropriate.^

^The\ recommendation\ to\ establish\ the\ Test-Bed\ recognized\ that\ the\ current\ use\ of\ spectrum\ for\ federal\ and\ non-federal\ communications\ necessitates\ increased\ sharing\ to\ benefit\ both\ federal\ and\ non-federal\ users\ of\ the\ spectrum.\ Establishment\ of\ the\ objectives,\ rules,\ guidelines,\ and\ responsibilities\ for\ the\ Test-Bed\ will\ be\ essential\ to\ the\ success\ of\ this\ sharing\ effort\ and\ will\ be\ vital\ to\ the\ consideration\ of\ any\ future\ follow-on\ sharing\ initiatives.\ ^

Examples of technologies/services that could be considered in the
Test-Bed include: high-power broadband, public safety interoperability,
adaptive technologies (geo-location, frequency avoidance, waveform
detection), advanced antenna technologies, sharing between federal and
non-federal mobile satellite systems, advanced modulation techniques,
multiple input/multiple output systems, extensions to third generation
wireless services for public safety and federal users, mobile mesh
networking, and geographic sharing. The Test-Bed may also be used to
evaluate new frequency assignment/coordination techniques such as the
web-based capability in the 70/80/90 GHz bands or sharing using the
interference temperature concept.^0^[^4]^4^

**^II.^^\ ^^INVITATION\ TO\ COMMENT^**

^Establishment\ of\ the\ objectives,\ rules,\ guidelines,\ and\ responsibilities\ will\ be\ essential\ to\ the\ success\ of\ the\ Test-Bed.\ The\ questions\ related\ to\ the\ Test-Bed\ will\ be\ divided\ into\ five\ categories:\ A)\ identification\ of\ the\ technologies/services\ to\ be\ considered\ in\ the\ Test-Bed;\ B)\ establishment\ of\ the\ process,\ principles,\ and\ guidelines\ governing\ the\ Test-Bed;\ C)\ identification\ of\ the\ candidate\ frequency\ band(s)\ for\ the\ Test-Bed;\ D)\ activation/termination\ of\ the\ Test-Bed;\ and\ E)\ evaluation\ of\ the\ Test-Bed.^

^In\ conjunction\ with\ providing\ information\ for\ consideration\ by\ NTIA,\ interested\ parties\ are\ requested\ to\ address\ the\ following\ questions\ and\ file\ comments\ that\ will\ assist\ NTIA\ in\ implementing\ a\ Test-Bed\ that\ will\ benefit\ both\ federal\ and\ non-federal\ users.\ Commenters\ may\ include\ any\ other\ issue\ that\ is\ relevant\ to\ the\ areas\ outlined\ below\ and\ should\ provide\ copies\ of\ studies,\ reports,\ research\ or\ other\ empirical\ data\ referenced\ in\ their\ responses.\ Comments\ will\ be\ posted\ on\ NTIA's\ website\ at\ .\ These\ questions\ are\ intended\ to\ promote\ discussion\ and\ comment\ across\ a\ range\ of\ issues\ and\ are\ not\ intended\ to\ limit\ the\ scope\ of\ the\ comments\ filed\ in\ response\ to\ this\ Notice.\ ^

**^A.\ ^**^\ ^**^Identification\ of\ Technologies/Services\ Considered\ in\ the\ Test-Bed^**

^What\ technologies,\ services,\ assignment\ techniques,\ or\ sharing\ techniques\ should\ be\ implemented\ in\ the\ Test-Bed?^

^What\ relationships\ should\ the\ technologies,\ services,\ assignment\ techniques,\ or\ sharing\ techniques\ have\ with\ the\ candidate\ frequency\ band(s)\ identified\ for\ the\ Test-Bed?^

^Should\ the\ Test-Bed\ be\ limited\ to\ prototype/operational\ equipment\ or\ can\ hardware\ simulation\ also\ be\ employed?\ If\ simulation\ can\ be\ employed,\ explain\ the\ conditions\ under\ which\ it\ is\ appropriate.\ ^

^How\ does\ the\ proposed\ technology\ or\ service\ achieve\ the\ goal\ of\ the\ Test-Bed\ (e.g.,\ increase\ sharing)?\ Please\ provide\ a\ detailed\ description\ explaining\ how\ the\ proposed\ technology\ or\ service\ increases\ sharing\ with\ other\ radio\ services.\ ^

**^B.^^\ ^^Identification\ of\ the\ Candidate\ Frequency\ Band(s)\ for\ the\ Test-Bed^**

^The\ Test-Bed\ recommendation\ included\ in\ the\ Commerce\ Reports\ called\ for\ approximately\ 20\ MHz\ to\ be\ dedicated\ to\ the\ Test-Bed.\ How\ much\ spectrum\ should\ be\ identified\ for\ the\ Test-Bed?^

^What\ candidate\ frequency\ band(s)\ should\ be\ used\ in\ the\ Test-Bed?\ What\ criteria\ should\ be\ used\ in\ identifying\ candidate\ frequency\ band(s)\ for\ the\ Test-Bed?\ Please\ provide\ supporting\ information\ for\ frequency\ band(s)\ selected.^

^What\ limitations\ should\ apply\ to\ the\ candidate\ frequency\ band(s)\ identified\ for\ the\ Test-Bed\ (e.g.,\ geographic,\ power,\ antenna\ gain,\ time\ of\ day,\ etc.)?^

^What\ steps\ should\ be\ taken\ to\ protect\ incumbent\ users\ in\ the\ candidate\ frequency\ bands?\ Should\ an\ initial\ electromagnetic\ compatibility\ analysis\ (e.g.,\ computer\ simulations)\ be\ performed\ to\ develop\ the\ operating\ conditions\ for\ the\ Test-Bed\ (e.g.,\ limits\ on\ radiated\ power\ levels,\ restrictions\ on\ antenna,\ geographic\ limitations)?^

**^C.^^\ ^^Establishment\ of\ the\ Process,\ Principles,\ and\ Guidelines\ Governing\ the\ Test-Bed\ ^**

^What\ resources\ (including\ the\ equipment\ to\ be\ evaluated\ in\ the\ Test-Bed),\ funding,\ personnel,\ or\ test\ facilities\ are\ necessary\ for\ the\ Test-Bed?^

^How\ should\ the\ process,\ principles,\ and\ guidelines\ for\ the\ Test-Bed\ be\ specified\ (e.g.,\ Cooperative\ Research\ and\ Development\ Agreement\ (CRADA),\ FCC\ Experimental\ License)?\ ^

^What\ information\ should\ be\ included\ in\ the\ controlling\ document\ (e.g.,\ CRADA\ or\ FCC\ Experimental\ License)\ for\ the\ Test-Bed?\ How\ should\ the\ terms\ and\ conditions\ be\ specified\ for\ the\ Test-Bed\ (e.g.,\ general,\ band-by-band)?^

^What\ procedures\ should\ be\ defined\ for\ resolving\ conflicts\ that\ might\ arise\ between\ operational\ incumbents\ and\ the\ technologies/services\ implemented\ in\ the\ Test-Bed?^

^At\ the\ completion\ of\ the\ Test-Bed,\ what\ should\ happen\ to\ the\ technology/service\ that\ is\ operating\ in\ the\ candidate\ frequency\ band?\ Should\ the\ technology/service\ be\ permitted\ to\ continue\ operating\ on\ a\ permanent\ basis\ and\ new\ spectrum\ identified\ for\ the\ next\ Test-Bed?\ If\ the\ technology/service\ is\ shown\ to\ be\ compatible,\ should\ a\ procedure\ be\ developed\ to\ find\ a\ permanent\ frequency\ band?\ ^

^Under\ what\ circumstances\ should\ the\ initial\ conditions\ of\ the\ Test-Bed\ be\ modified\ (e.g.,\ spectrum\ resources\ increased,\ locations\ expanded,\ time-frame\ increased)?^

^Who\ should\ be\ responsible\ for\ providing\ the\ test\ personnel\ and\ equipment\ for\ the\ Test-Bed?^

^Should\ organizations\ with\ proprietary\ technology\ or\ information\ be\ permitted\ to\ participate\ in\ the\ Test-Bed?\ If\ so,\ how\ should\ release\ of\ data\ based\ on\ their\ technology\ be\ handled?\ ^

**^D.^^\ ^^[Activation/Termination\ of\ the\ Test-Bed]{.underline}^**

^Should\ computer\ simulations\ be\ performed\ before\ the\ Test-Bed\ is\ activated?^

^Should\ a\ test\ plan\ be\ developed\ and\ agreed\ to\ by\ all\ parties\ before\ the\ Test-Bed\ is\ activated?\ If\ so,\ who\ should\ be\ responsible\ for\ developing\ the\ test\ plan?\ What\ process\ should\ be\ used\ to\ review\ the\ test\ plan?^

^Under\ what\ conditions\ should\ the\ Test-Bed\ be\ terminated\ (e.g.,\ problems\ with\ equipment)?^

**^E.^^\ ^^[Evaluation\ of\ the\ Test-Bed]{.underline}^**

^What\ metrics\ should\ be\ used\ in\ evaluating\ the\ results\ of\ the\ Test-Bed?^

^Should\ status\ reports\ be\ prepared\ throughout\ the\ duration\ of\ the\ Test-Bed\ (e.g.,\ 6\ months)?^

^Who\ should\ be\ responsible\ for\ analyzing\ the\ data\ from\ the\ Test-Bed\ and\ preparing\ the\ final\ report?^

**^III.^^\ ^^\ SELECTION\ CRITERIA\ FOR\ TEST-BED\ ^**

^The\ following\ criteria\ are\ being\ proposed\ to\ evaluate\ and\ select\ the\ proposed\ technology\ or\ service\ to\ be\ implemented\ in\ the\ Test-Bed.\ Comments\ are\ requested\ on\ the\ proposed\ Test-Bed\ selection\ criteria.^

^How\ well\ does\ the\ proposed\ technology\ or\ service\ achieve\ the\ goal\ of\ the\ Test-Bed?\ ^

^How\ readily\ available\ is\ the\ equipment\ proposed\ for\ the\ Test-Bed?^

^How\ well\ does\ the\ proposed\ technology\ or\ service\ explore\ creative\ and\ original\ concepts\ in\ spectrum\ sharing?^

^For\ the\ proposed\ technology\ or\ service,\ can\ the\ results\ of\ the\ Test-Bed\ be\ disseminated\ broadly\ to\ enhance\ scientific\ and\ technologic\ understanding?\ If\ so,\ how\ broadly\ can\ the\ results\ be\ applied?^

^How\ well\ does\ the\ proposed\ technology\ or\ service\ address\ the\ potential\ impact\ on\ the\ incumbent\ ^

^spectrum\ user(s)?^

^How\ much\ and\ in\ what\ ways\ does\ the\ proposed\ technology\ or\ service\ benefit\ the\ public?^

^Are\ there\ any\ technical\ factors\ that\ limit\ the\ proposed\ technology\ or\ service\ to\ a\ specific\ ^

^frequency\ range?^

^Will\ the\ necessary\ technical\ support\ be\ provided\ to\ assure\ performance\ of\ the\ equipment\ during\ the\ Test-Bed?\ If\ so,\ how\ sufficient\ is\ the\ proposed\ support?^

^Dated:\ June\ 2,\ 2006^

^Milton\ E.\ Brown^

^Acting\ Chief\ Counsel,\ National\ Telecommunications\ and\ Information\ Administration^

[^1]: ^1^ *Spectrum Policy for the 21^st^ Century -- The President's
    Spectrum Policy Initiative: Report 1 Recommendations of the Federal
    Government Spectrum Task Force* and *Spectrum Policy for the 21^st^
    Century -- The President's Spectrum Policy Initiative: Report 2
    Recommendations From State and Local Governments and Private Sector
    Responders*, National Telecommunications and Information
    Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (June 2004), available
    at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/reports/.

[^2]: ^2^ White House Executive Memorandum, *Improving Spectrum
    Management for the 21^st^ Century* (November 2004).

[^3]: ^3^ By this Notice of Inquiry, NTIA is implementing its
    responsibilities under the President's November 2004, Executive
    Memorandum. The FCC is also soliciting comment on many of these same
    issues through a public notice. [[Public Notice,
    ](http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-77A1.pdf)]{.underline}*[[Federal
    Communications Commission Seeks Public Comment on Creation of a
    Spectrum Sharing Innovation
    Test-Bed](http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-77A1.pdf)]{.underline}*,
    ET Docket No. 06-89.

[^4]: ^4^ As part of the President's initiative to streamline U.S.
    spectrum policy, fiber-speed wireless communications links in the
    71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94 GHz, and 94.1-95 GHz bands may now be
    coordinated and approved for non-federal use in a matter of minutes
    using a web-based capability developed by NTIA. The public may
    access the automated system at the following url:
    [<http://FreqCoord.ntia.doc.gov>]{.underline}.