Remarks of Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth at the 2025 NTIA Spectrum Policy Symposium

Remarks of Arielle Roth
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information
National Telecommunications and Information Administration

2025 NTIA Spectrum Policy Symposium
September 10, 2025

Good morning, and welcome to NTIA's Spectrum Policy Symposium.

It's the honor of a lifetime to serve as the NTIA Administrator at such a critical moment for the agency. With nearly two months now under my belt, I'm thrilled to stand before you and share my vision on how NTIA, together with our federal and industry partners, can advance American-led spectrum innovation for the next decade and beyond.

Let me begin by thanking our distinguished speakers, as well as those who've joined us in this lovely room in the Ronald Reagan Building.

President Reagan once joked: "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." And let's be honest-when it comes to spectrum policy, history has often proven him right. From the decades-long delay of FM radio in the 1940s to foot-dragging on cellular licensing in the 1980s, rigid government gatekeeping too often sidelined American innovators and left valuable spectrum underutilized.

That began to change in the 1990s, with the introduction of flexible-use licensing and spectrum auctions-reforms that finally removed the shackles and allowed spectrum to reach its highest and best use as a catalyst for investment and innovation.

Now, with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill-which not only restores spectrum auction authority but mandates the largest spectrum pipeline in American history-we can build on that greatness and maximize the incredible potential of this resource.

And what a resource it is. Thanks to American ingenuity, these invisible airwaves help keep our country safe, connect our first responders in moments of crisis, guide our planes in the sky, and enable everything from GPS navigation to the smartphones in our pockets. Spectrum brought radio and television into our homes-and now it powers the technologies that define modern life.

Of course, with a resource this valuable, it can be hard to balance the many competing needs of spectrum users, both public and private, federal and non-federal. But I'm a mom of six kids - balancing competing needs comes with the territory. Just like assigning seats in my minivan, spectrum allocation demands careful negotiation-ensuring everyone has a place, no one gets left out, and the ride still runs smoothly.

And let me tell you: the fights over the second-row window seat in my minivan? Just as intense, and sometimes just as loud, as the fiercest battles over spectrum bands.

I plan to bring that balancing mindset to spectrum policy: making sure every voice is heard, every need is considered, and ultimately, that we arrive at solutions that work for everyone.

But with spectrum and my minivan seats alike, you can't let the debate drag on forever because that undercuts the very purpose of getting in the car. At some point you just need to pick the assignments and drive.

Speaking of driving forward, let's talk about 6G.

As I touched on before, history shows what's possible when America gets spectrum policy right. 4G unlocked killer apps like ridesharing, streaming, and video-based social networks. 5G is already closing broadband gaps with private networks and fixed wireless service.

As we stand on the cusp of 6G and further integration of networks, we don't know yet what its killer app will be. But we do know this: as a matter of both our economic and national security, it must be developed here, in America and by American innovators.

That was the message that Secretary Lutnick drove home last week when he spoke at our NTIA Town Hall: the U.S. must lead in 6G.

To ensure that happens, we need clear and decisive action to get more spectrum into the marketplace as soon as possible.

One Big Beautiful Spectrum Pipeline

For the past few years, America's spectrum pipeline has been defined by lots of talk and no action.

Those days are over.

President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill restored the FCC's auction authority and directed regulators to find 800 MHz of prime spectrum to auction for commercial use.

I'm proud to have helped draft the spectrum provisions of that bill while serving as a staffer on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

But let's be clear: these provisions only became law because of the leadership of President Trump, my current boss, Secretary Lutnick, and my former boss, Chairman Ted Cruz.

They fought for the American consumer and struck a deal that strengthened both our national security and our economic future.

Now the work shifts to us. We have a mission: to build one big, beautiful spectrum pipeline that will deliver faster wireless networks, fuel innovation, and secure America's position as the world's technological powerhouse.

Turning to Implementation

The OB3 directs NTIA to identify 500 MHz of federal spectrum, to be auctioned and reallocated for full-power commercial licensed use.

The FCC is required to auction an additional 300 MHz of spectrum, including at least 100 MHz within the Upper C-Band.

The law sets out a few milestones for NTIA: identifying at least 200 MHz within two years, and the remaining 300 MHz within four years.

NTIA and the rest of the Administration have hit the ground running, thanks in large part to a 10-week "spectrum sprint" to identify potential bands even prior to the enactment of the OB3.

We are building on that framework to ensure that we meet the deadlines Congress set-and if possible, beat them.

In fact, the countdown to 500 starts today. I'm proud to announce that I'll be sending a letter to Chairman Carr informing him that NTIA has already identified the first 5 MHz of federal spectrum for the FCC to auction and will be studying the 15 MHz immediately adjacent to it. That spectrum will come from 1675 MHz, part of what's known as the "L" band, and its reallocation will result in a win-win for incumbent user NOAA and the American public.

To identify the remainder, NTIA plans to assess four targeted spectrum bands in the range set by Congress:

7125-7400 MHz; 1680-1695 MHz; 2700-2900 MHz; and 4400-4940 MHz. Combined with their "sweet spot" propagation characteristics, these bands offer opportunities for larger channel bandwidths needed for 5G and future 6G networks, and have the potential to generate substantial auction revenues for the U.S. government while modernizing federal operations.

We expect to make progress on all four of these bands within a year and plan to exceed our target of identifying 200 MHz under this Administration. Indeed, we're already well on our way to identifying spectrum in the 7 GHz band, having already secured funding from the Spectrum Relocation Fund.

Meanwhile, NTIA will actively support and contribute to the FCC's efforts to auction the Upper C-Band-so we can maximize the amount of commercial spectrum we can clear, while enabling a one-time, next generation retrofit of aircraft altimeters. If done right, this effort won't just increase the value and utility of the C-Band in the United States, but it will also pave the way for harmonized clearing across the globe. In other words, America's gift to the world.

As we look to the future of connectivity, it's clear that satellite services are playing an increasingly vital role-especially as we enter the new era of 6G. One of the most exciting developments is the rapid progress in direct-to-device satellite technology. These advances are already connecting more Americans and enabling seamless, integrated networks that reach even the most remote areas.

Consumers don't care whether their connection comes from terrestrial or satellite networks-they just want their technology to work, whether it's to the handset or to the home. That's why convergence-the merging of networks-is such a powerful and promising part of the 6G vision.

To support this evolution, we must ensure that sufficient spectrum is available. Satellite applications are growing faster than regulators originally anticipated, and we must be proactive in meeting that demand. At NTIA, we are committed to expanding commercial access to satellite spectrum while also balancing the needs of our federal users.

And just as importantly, we must continue to embrace the guiding principle of technology neutrality across all our programs-an approach that has consistently proven to be the most effective way to foster broadband innovation and competition. Whether it's terrestrial or satellite, fiber or wireless, what matters most is delivering effective connectivity for the American people-not one-size-fits-all mandates that don't reflect the realities on the ground.

On the topic of on-the-ground realities, let's also not forget what powers our networks today. While licensed spectrum is critical, the majority of mobile traffic is actually offloaded onto Wi-Fi. Born in America, led by America, Wi-Fi remains an area where we dominate, and we must continue to invest in this important technology. With Wi-Fi, the race has already been won. China knows it cannot compete and for that reason looks for ways to sabotage the very ingenuity that made Wi-Fi a global standard.

As NTIA looks to identify spectrum in the federal bands mentioned above, we encourage the FCC to consider opportunities to grow these technologies, and other innovative forms of spectrum sharing, as well.

Beyond our Borders

But our leadership can't stop at our borders.

The 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference is just around the corner and will be pivotal. We must go in united, confident, and ready to lead-not just reacting to others but shaping the agenda.

We are working closely with the White House, the State Department, the FCC and others to develop positions that will allow the United States to go into WRC as the world's most dynamic and authoritative leader in spectrum management. That means learning from the lessons of WRC 23, and going in with strong, established U.S. positions-including by pushing back on Chinese attempts to redefine the 6 GHz band and instead advancing what we believe is the best path forward for 6G.

Up for the Challenge

The bottom line is this: America has a big task ahead of us-and we're going to get it done. For decades, the world has looked to us to lead in spectrum management and innovation. We now have the tools and resolve to set the next wireless standard for years to come.

Our efforts won't be a rote response to a Congressional mandate. Spectrum leadership is essential to both our national security and our economic prosperity. We will treat this charge with the urgency it demands, and we are up for the challenge.

And for me, this mission is personal. As a mother, I think often about the future we are building. Spectrum policy may sound technical, but at its heart it's about ensuring that the next generation of Americans-including my own children-inherits a country defined by security, opportunity, and prosperity.

And speaking of commitment to America's future, we would not be here today without the vision and fearlessness of my former boss, Chairman Cruz.

In recognition of his leadership, we'd like to present Sen. Cruz with our newly updated frequency allocation chart-the first comprehensive update in nearly a decade.

This chart is both a visual tool to help Americans understand how we're using spectrum, and a snapshot of the incredible complexity of managing this vital resource.

But it is just a snapshot-because as we work to implement Chairman Cruz's vision, we'll be making this chart obsolete. And we can't wait to do so.

Without further ado, please join me in welcoming the Chairman of the Commerce Committee and the Senator from the Great State of Texas, Ted Cruz!