WASHINGTON-The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association was appointed as a non-resident member of the National Coordinating Center for Telecommunications on the same day the Federal Communications Commission released its response to a Bush administration critical-infrastructure report.
“As a member of NCC, CTIA’s leadership and expertise in the wireless industry will help ensure that [national security and emergency preparedness] communications support continues through industry and government cooperation,” said Air Force Lt. General Harry Raduege.
“We saw on Sept. 11 the vital role that wireless plays in communication among emergency and national security personnel, family members and friends. On that day, wireless became the nation’s communications network of choice. Through our work with NCC, we hope to ensure that wireless will continue to play an integral part in meeting this country’s communications needs, especially in the most critical of circumstances,” said CTIA President Thomas Wheeler.
As a member of NCC, CTIA will also become a member of the Telecommunications Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a mechanism for the timely sharing of cyber-security information to protect critical infrastructure.
Many critical infrastructure industries, in addition to using computers, which must be kept secure, also use spectrum to perform monitoring and protection functions. These critical infrastructures-utilities and railroads-heard last week from the FCC on what it is doing to make sure their spectrum needs are met.
“The designated industries rely on wireless communication networks to process voice and data information and to comply with current safety, operational and other regulatory requirements. They generally indicate that wireless services offer a reliable means of maintaining command, coordination and control during ordinary daily and emergency situations. . Without adequate spectrum [the providers of energy, water and railroad services] would be unable to address major service interruptions due to natural disasters or equipment malfunctions,” said the FCC.
The FCC did not make any promises and generally reiterated what commenters had proposed to either it or the National Telecommunications & Information Administration.
The FCC report also reviewed all of the bands available for critical-infrastructure industries and ongoing proceedings that might someday free up more spectrum for critical-infrastructure industries. The report was mandated as a follow-on to an NTIA report released earlier this year.
The NTIA report showed that critical infrastructure industries believe spectrum is essential.
