Office of Spectrum Management (OSM)

NTIA’s Office of Spectrum Management (OSM) is dedicated to protecting the vital Federal government operations that use spectrum while also supporting the growth of commercial wireless broadband and technologies in America. Many federal agencies rely on the use of spectrum, a limited resource, to execute their core missions. There is also increasing demand for spectrum to meet the wireless broadband needs of consumers and businesses, paving the way for continued innovation and economic growth.

OSM principally manages the Federal government’s use of the radio frequency spectrum, ensuring that the America’s domestic and international spectrum needs are satisfied. To achieve this, OSM receives assistance and advice from the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) and carries out this responsibility by:

• establishing and issuing policy regarding allocations and regulations governing the Federal spectrum use;
• developing plans for the peacetime and wartime use of the spectrum;
• preparing for, participating in, and implementing the results of international radio conferences;
• assigning frequencies;
• maintaining spectrum use databases;
• reviewing Federal agencies' new telecommunications systems and certifying that spectrum will be available;
• providing the technical engineering expertise needed to perform specific spectrum resources assessments and automated computer capabilities needed to carry out these investigations;
• participating in all aspects of the Federal government's communications related emergency readiness activities; and
• participating in Federal government telecommunications and automated information systems security activities.

Another of OSM’s primary activities is implementing the Obama administration’s commitment to nearly double the amount of commercial spectrum. In 2010, a Presidential Memorandum directed the Secretary of Commerce, working through NTIA, to collaborate with the Federal Communications Commission to make available a total of 500 megahertz of Federal and nonfederal spectrum over the next 10 years for mobile and fixed wireless broadband use. This is one of the areas for which the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) will provide recommendations to NTIA. 

Contact

Office of Spectrum Management 
National Telecommunications & Information Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20230
Phone: (202) 482-1850

OSM Phone Directory