Background:
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is responsible for managing
the Federal Government's use of the radio spectrum. Part of this responsibility is to establish
policies concerning spectrum assignment, allocation, and use; and to provide the various departments
and agencies with guidance to ensure that their conduct of telecommunications activities is
consistent with these policies. In discharging this responsibility, NTIA
- assesses spectrum utilization;
- identifies existing and/or potential compatibility problems among the telecommunication systems
that belong to various departments and agencies;
- provides recommendations for resolving any compatibility conflicts that may exist in the use of
the radio spectrum;
- recommends changes to promote spectrum efficiency and improve spectrum management procedures.
Since 1973, NTIA has used the RSMS to collect data on Federal use of the radio spectrum in support of
the NTIA Spectrum Analysis Program. The RSMS data are used by NTIA to support several programs, including
- Spectrum Resource Assessments (SRAs);
- U.S. participation in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conferences and ITU
Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R);
- analysis of electromagnetic compatibility conflicts;
- interference resolution for cases involving one or more Federal Government radio systems;
- systems review activity related to new Federal Government radio systems.
Responsibility: Under Departmental Organization
Order 25-7, issued 5 October 1992, and amended 3 December 1993, the NTIA Office of Spectrum
Management (OSM) is responsible for identifying and conducting measurements necessary to provide
NTIA and the various departments and agencies with information to ensure effective and efficient
use of the spectrum. The Radio Spectrum Measurement System (RSMS) is tasked to perform spectrum
measurements as required to fulfill this mission. Related suitcase-portable measurement systems are
used for the same purpose, as applicable to local field conditions and mission requirements.
Authority: The RSMS is under the administrative
control of the Director of ITS. The Deputy Associate Administrator of the Office of Spectrum
Management (OSM) is responsible for fulfilling the spectrum management requirements of NTIA, as
transmitted to him/her by the Associate Administrator of OSM. RSMS measurement activities are
authorized by the Deputy Associate Administrator of OSM in consultation with the Director of ITS.
Federal agencies with spectrum management needs can request support of the RSMS through the Deputy
Associate Administrator of OSM. |