WASHINGTON-The Bush administration’s top telecom adviser today refused to say how much longer a much anticipated report on frequency options for third-generation wireless systems and related legislation will be delayed.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration head Nancy Victory, addressing a luncheon sponsored by The Media Institute, said the 3G report and proposed trust fund legislation would be out “very shortly”-repeating a forecast given to reporters previously.
NTIA, attempting to broker a deal to secure military frequencies for 3G, missed a self-imposed deadline to complete the report and send legislation to Congress by the end of June. The legislation would create a fund-comprised of spectrum auction receipts-that directly reimburses the Pentagon for moving from existing frequencies to other bands.
Sources said NTIA’s new target date for issuing the 3G report is early next week.
Victory also delved into the morass of corporate accounting scandals that have tainted telecom companies and raised questions about past business dealings of top administration officials, saying corporate responsibility is top priority for the administration.
