### [For Immediate Release    Contact: Clyde Ensslin or Ranjit de Silva]{.underline}

# [October 27, 2005        202-482-7002]{.underline}

\
**Assistant Commerce Secretary Michael D. Gallagher **

**Announces Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee **

*Private Sector Invited to Join Select Committee on Management of
Nation's Airwaves*

[Assistant Commerce Secretary Michael D. Gallagher today announced the
formation of the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee to
advise the Commerce Department on key elements of President Bush's
21]{.underline}^[st]{.underline}^[ Century Spectrum Policy Initiative
for improving management of the nation's airwaves. ]{.underline}

[This initiative incorporates and builds upon previous policy
breakthroughs such as the authorization of ultrawideband, a promising
new technology for innovative devices; the planned deployment of 90 MHz
of radio spectrum for advanced wireless services; globally-harmonized
allocation of 5GHz spectrum for unlicensed Wireless Local Area Network
systems; and responsible deployment of broadband over power lines, or
BPL. ]{.underline}

["State-of-the-art research and innovative product development have made
the United States a global leader in communications technology," said
Gallagher. "Through this advisory committee, innovators and experts from
industry and government will have direct involvement in implementing
recommendations that will ensure the U.S. remains a world
leader."]{.underline}

[In a November 2004 Executive Memorandum, the President directed heads
of executive departments and agencies to implement recommendations made
by a high-level interagency task force that conducted a comprehensive
study of federal government radio spectrum policy. One of the 24
recommendations was for NTIA to establish an advisory committee
representing state, regional and local sectors, industry, academia and
consumer groups. Committee members will offer expertise and perspective
on reforms to enable new technologies and services, including reforms
that expedite the American public's access to broadband services, public
safety, digital television, and long-range spectrum
planning.]{.underline}

[The committee will serve to facilitate increased understanding among
all spectrum users about their respective interests. It will act as a
liaison between the stakeholders represented by the membership and the
federal government, and also may provide a forum for stakeholders
representing current and emerging issues in spectrum management,
spectrum policy, reform and technology. ]{.underline}

[The Committee will recommend approaches and strategies that enable the
United States to remain a leader in the introduction of new wireless
technologies, while at the same time providing for the expansion of
existing technologies and ensuring that the country's homeland security,
national defense, and other critical government needs are
satisfied.]{.underline}

[For additional information on the President's Spectrum Policy
Initiative, visit the NTIA Web site at . Nominations for committee
membership can be made in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the
Federal Register notice, which also can be found on the NTIA Web site.
The deadline for submitting nominations is November 28, 2005, thirty
days from publication in the Federal Register.]{.underline}

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