Publications

At the May 2023 Leaders' Summit, the Quad welcomed a new in-depth report outlining cybersecurity considerations associated with using Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) as an approach to developing network architecture. The report demonstrates that Open RAN offers important cybersecurity advantages, that risks sometimes attributed to Open RAN are common to traditional RAN deployments as well, and that these risks can be mitigated and managed through the recommendations presented in the report.

This report provides a snapshot of the considerable efforts of NTIA, the Federal Communications Commission and other federal agency partners to repurpose radio frequency spectrum – either on an exclusive or shared use basis – to support commercial wireless services and applications such as 5G wireless connectivity. It highlights spectrum-related activities through the end of 2021.

The Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band at 3550–3700 MHz was authorized for shared commercial use in the United States (established June 23, 2015) through the efforts of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Department of Defense (DoD), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). One unique aspect of CBRS was the introduction of Dynamic Protection Areas (DPAs) in which commercial entrants could dynamically share the spectrum with protected incumbents.

Mobile apps have become an essential tool for participation in much of daily life. Given both the growing importance of mobile apps and the need to promote innovation in this space, President Biden called for a study of the ecosystem along with recommendations for improving competition, reducing barriers to entry and maximizing the benefits for consumers as part of a 2021 Executive Order on competition.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) called for new limits on the ways in which companies can collect or use personal information in comments filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is seeking comment on whether it should implement new trade regulation rules on companies’ data collection and sales practices.

NTIA submitted this report to Congress on October 14, 2022 pursuant to Section 207 of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act (CSEA), Title II of Pub. L. 108-494.  As authorized by the CSEA, the Spectrum Relocation Fund (SRF) provides a centralized and streamlined funding mechanism through which federal agencies can recover the costs associated with relocating their radio communications systems or sharing spectrum reallocated and authorized to be auctioned for commercial purposes.

The MOBILE NOW Act directed NTIA to coordinate with the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop recommendations for streamlining processes when considering applications to locate broadband facilities on federal property within two years from the date of enactment (March 23, 2020), and to report to Congress on the status of their implementation and any process improvements resulting from su