Johnson Concerned Commerce Dept. Hindering US 5G Strategy
Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., repeated his concerns Monday about whether the Commerce Department is actively hindering development of the federal government's 5G strategy. He also filed a resolution that would make it the sense of the…
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Senate that U.S. leadership on 5G is a “national priority” and that federal agencies should work with the FCC to advance U.S. leadership of the technology at the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference. Johnson was among the Senate Commerce Committee members who raised the issue during an FCC oversight hearing earlier this month. Senate Commerce ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., during that hearing highlighted NOAA's concerns about the potential effects of commercial use of spectrum on the 24 GHz band sold in the recent FCC auction on weather forecasting technology on adjacent bands (see 1906120076). FCC Chairman Ajit Pai disputed NOAA's claims and said they were part of a pattern of Commerce efforts to hinder efforts to free up spectrum for 5G. “It has come to my attention that one of your senior advisers may be placing personal animosity ahead of our country’s 5G goals,” Johnson wrote Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This threatens the clearly stated goals and priorities of the President and Congress and also undermines the NTIA’s mission to ‘expand the use of spectrum by all users.'” Spectrum “deliberations are best conducted by engineers working collaboratively together to solve challenges, not bureaucrats trying to defend their turf,” Johnson said. NOAA's “last minute objections” are particularly problematic given U.S. preparations for the WRC, “and this dispute weakens our country's leverage and ability to further secure America's leadership at this conference.” Johnson sought by July 10 information on studies and other communications by NOAA, NTIA and other Commerce agencies related to out of band emissions in the 24 GHz band. He wants a staff briefing by July 12, a written explanation of what transpired ahead of NOAA's late disclosure of its concerns. Johnson also wants Ross to make a written commitment “to support the U.S. winning the race to 5G” via expanded spectrum availability and that he's directed all Commerce officials to “support the U.S. position on 24 GHz and all other issues” being addressed in WRC negotiations. House Science Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, and ranking member Frank Lucas, R-Okla., wrote Ross and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine Wednesday night requesting by June 26 all NASA and NOAA studies and analyses on the potential impacts of 5G transmissions on the 24 GHz band and the impact on the 23.8 GHz band.