Ross Fields Additional Questions from Senators on Spectrum, Broadband
Commerce secretary nominee Wilbur Ross would be open to looking at how to integrate spectrum challenges into his Commerce Department, he said. He addressed spectrum repeatedly during his Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing (see 1701180069). Senators continued their inquiries beyond the hearing room.
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“Challenge and prize competitions can often be a cost-effective way to spur innovation," Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., told Ross as part of a written exchange separate from the hearing. "Successful prize competitions attract innovators and entrepreneurs who apply American ingenuity to solve problems. Congress recently passed the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which includes a bill I sponsored to remove unnecessary barriers to agencies' ability to develop and run challenge and prize competitions. Will you support the continued use of challenge and prize competitions by the Department of Commerce?”
“I support the general idea of challenges and competitions, and the joint venture programs mentioned above are examples of this strategy,” Ross said.
Udall pressed Ross on a spectrum prize, noting talk of a spectrum crunch and his belief people can solve it. “That is why I sponsored legislation in the 114th Congress to encourage the Department of Commerce to sponsor a spectrum challenge prize that will help incentivize more innovators and researchers to focus on developing technologies to address the 21st century economy's spectrum needs,” said Udall. “This would award up to $5 million for breakthrough wireless technologies that dramatically improve spectrum efficiency. Will you support such an effort as Secretary of Commerce?”
“I like the general idea of challenges and competitions and will consult with NTIA,” Ross replied, saying he wanted to learn more. “Challenges should be awarded only for solutions and not for research and I believe there may be some successful examples from NASA.” Ross favors “the idea of continuing action on unused spectrum, and will closely monitor the execution and implementation of FirstNet,” he wrote in response to another question about his spectrum ideas.
Udall also raised his past provisions -- now signed into law -- broadening the scope of eligible expenses for the Spectrum Relocation Fund, a topic also raised during the hearing by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. “Will you support use of SRF funds to increase spectrum efficiency, spectrum sharing and other activities that could lead to repurposing federal spectrum for commercial use?” Udall asked. Ross seemed receptive: “I support any program that has a cost effective way to increase spectrum efficiency and sharing to facilitate commercialism.”
Some senators’ questions are still being compiled, a spokesman for Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said Thursday, noting the recent timing of the hearing.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is filing questions for Ross on broadband deployment, as she said was the plan during the hearing. “As Co-Chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, I believe that expanding access to broadband is the infrastructure challenge of our generation,” she said in written queries, touting her involvement advocating for dig once policies. “I understand you have experience with broadband deployment, including installing conduit to minimize repeated excavations, a key 'dig once' principle.” She asked if Ross would “work with me to strengthen broadband deployment policies throughout the federal government including ensuring that any infrastructure investment efforts include ‘dig once’ principles?”
Klobuchar also asked the nominee about the future of the Broadband Opportunity Council, a key effort of the Obama administration that spanned many agencies and has Commerce as a co-chair. “In September 2015, the Council issued a report with its recommendations,” she said, noting some implementations but saying much work remains. “If confirmed, will you continue to work with agencies and departments across the federal government to promote broadband deployment, including by working to implement the outstanding recommendations from the Broadband Opportunity Council?” Klobuchar spokespeople hadn't provided any answers from Ross by our deadline.
Senate leaders are debating when and how to advance President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees on the floor. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., held a news conference Thursday calling for additional scrutiny and questioning of certain nominees, but didn’t dwell on Ross. He said Senate Democrats would be prepared to advance Trump’s national security nominees Friday. “It’s possible that some other non-controversial nominees could be considered relatively quickly,” Schumer said. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., issued a news release this week collecting praise for Ross.