Redl Likely to Face Questions on Spectrum, Public Safety, IANA Transition

Nothing "we’re going to be talking about” during the NTIA hearing “is going to be surprising,” a House aide said. Another cited a subcommittee GOP staff memo that outlined a range of possible discussion topics, including NTIA’s role in managing federal agencies’ spectrum allocations. It notes interest in FirstNet, next-generation 911, broadband mapping and NTIA’s future role in internet governance. Redl’s written testimony wasn’t available.

Aides and lobbyists expect Redl to face at least one question about the IANA transition and related promises to Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, during his confirmation process last year. Redl said he would convene a “panel of experts to investigate options” for reversing the handoff (see 1801240048). At least one Democrat will “try to pin [Redl] down” on what he intends to do and “he’s been practicing for that question,” a House aide said.

The amount of focus lawmakers place on Redl’s position on the switchover likely will depend on what he testifies and how he “answers the first question” on the topic, a House aide said. R Street Institute Tech Policy Associate Joe Kane was among several who believe lawmakers are near-certain to address IANA. Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and former NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling said they aren’t concerned by Redl’s reported promise (see 1801290041). That lack of concern and the absence of Cruz from the House Communications hearing mean the issue is unlikely to “produce fireworks,” Kane said.

NTIA’s spectrum priorities could get significant attention because of Redl’s plans for the 3450-3550 MHz band study, which he announced in late February (see 1802260047), said telecom lobbyists. Mid-band spectrum like that band has been a key focus of carriers as they start to deploy 5G. Lawmakers will want Redl to tell them “what bands can you really find,” including the 3450-3550 and the 1.4 GHz bands, one lobbyist said. NTIA’s joint study with DOD comes as lawmakers attempt to pass the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (Ray Baum's) Act FCC reauthorization bill (HR-4986), which contains several important spectrum provisions. The bill includes language from the Senate-passed Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (Mobile Now) Act (S-19) spectrum bill and the Spectrum Auction Deposits Act (HR-4109) that would let the FCC place bidders' deposits in future spectrum auctions in a Treasury Department fund (see 1802270055, 1803020027 and 1803050043).

“Oversight questions” about NTIA administration of FirstNet and NG-911 will be likely, but “I don’t think there is movement for big changes” to the agency’s role there, a telecom lobbyist said. The hearing could also be an opportunity for House Commerce leaders to reinvigorate their bid for a NTIA reauthorization bill since they can now gather input from Redl on how the agency’s authority needs to change, lobbyists said. Delays in Redl's Senate’s confirmation last year were seen a factor that led House Commerce to slow work on NTIA renewal (see 1708310047). Likely passage of HR-4986 could “open a window” for lawmakers to take the NTIA bill “off the backburner,” one lobbyist said. An industry official said NTIA reauthorization is “not a super-high priority” compared with other telecom issues. When lawmakers explored legislation last year, they were focused on ensuring “NTIA has the authority it needs to deal with the agencies on spectrum” and “clarity” on other issues (see 1702010063 and 1702020065), the official said.