Strategic issues in national spectrum management

Abstract

The demand for allocations and assignments in the radio frequency spectrum continues to grow in the United States and internationally. The unique properties of the spectrum combined with this growing demand have created a significant managment challenge for the Federal Goverment. As a principal user of the spectrum, the military services are especially dependent upon the national spectrum management processes. Effective command and control of forces and optimum use of electronic sensory, navigation, and weapons systems are all contingent upon the ability to utilize the radio frequency spectrum. It is the responsibility of the national spectrum management process to encourage maximum utilization of the spectrum while maintaining electromagnetic compatibility. The importance of the spectrum to the military makes it imperative that the services develop a comprehensive strategy to protect the resources they currently have and help them to compete successfully for future requirements. This strategy must involve the development of clear national policy objectives relating to the spectrum, must contain guidance for improving the utilization of existing assignments, and must provide direction to new technologies.