Improving Spectrum Coordination Act of 2021

To require the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to update the Memorandum of Understanding on Spectrum Coordination, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Spectrum Coordination Act of 2021 2. Improved coordination between the FCC and the NTIA (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term Commission (2) the term Memorandum (3) the term NTIA (b) Updates Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission and the NTIA shall update the Memorandum to— (1) outline general processes for addressing technical, procedural, and policy differences regarding frequency allocation and related conditions and standards; (2) create a process for the resolution of non-routine policy disputes between the Commission and the NTIA, including specific timelines for an expeditious resolution; (3) clarify that— (A) Congress designated the NTIA to serve as the sole agency responsible for managing spectrum assigned to Federal agencies, and that, as a result, the NTIA represents Federal agencies in addressing technical, procedural, and policy differences regarding frequency allocation with the Commission, consistent with section 103(b) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 902(b) (B) the representation by the NTIA described in subparagraph (A) should involve the expertise of the NTIA in technical, engineering, and policy matters; (4) ensure that scientific analyses and testing are considered in actions involving spectrum allocation and standards; (5) ensure that short-, medium-, and long-term implications of spectrum policy and strategy are considered; (6) outline general processes for how the Commission and the NTIA will form staff standing working groups with regular meetings to discuss spectrum planning by the Commission and the NTIA; (7) outline general processes for how the Commission and the NTIA will jointly interact and consult with the Department of State in matters regarding international spectrum coordination proceedings; and (8) endeavor to ensure— (A) the efficient use of frequencies assigned to Federal agencies, consistent with the responsibilities of the NTIA under section 103(b)(2)(U) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( 47 U.S.C. 902(b)(2)(U) (B) that frequencies not required for the present or identifiable future needs of the Federal Government are reallocated to non-Federal Government users wherever possible. (c) Periodic updates Not later than 3 years after the date on which the Commission and the NTIA update the Memorandum under subsection (b), and every 4 years thereafter, the Commission and the NTIA shall update the Memorandum to reflect changing technological, procedural, and policy circumstances. (d) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, the Commission and the NTIA shall submit to Congress a report on joint spectrum planning activities.

Summary: Improving Spectrum Coordination Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to periodically update the Memorandum of Understanding on Spectrum Coordination, which establishes procedures to promote the efficient use of the radio spectrum, including related to joint spectrum planning and frequency coordination. Among other updates, the FCC and the NTIA must (1) outline processes for addressing technical, procedural, and policy differences regarding frequency allocation and related conditions and standards; (2) create a process for the resolution of nonroutine policy disputes; (3) clarify the role of the NTIA; and (4) outline processes for spectrum planning and international spectrum coordination.