July 1, 2022

NATE UAS Expo Takes Flight Over Nebraska

This week, the 2022 NATE UAS Expo was held in Valley, Nebraska at Valmont’s Valley Campus headquarters. Over 175 stakeholders representing industry and government attended the event. Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives and U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials all delivered remarks at the event. To watch an excerpt of the UAS Expo speech delivered by Governor Ricketts, visit here. 

NATE President & CEO Todd Schlekeway stated that the show was so successful that NATE and Valmont are already planning the 2^nd Annual UAS Expo event for 2023. You can read more about the expo here.

House Committee Clears Bill that Funds Commerce Department

On Tuesday, June 28, House appropriators approved the fiscal year (FY) 2023 funding bill for the Department of Commerce. The $11.6 billion in funding for the Commerce Department (an increase of $1.7 billion above the FY 2022 enacted level) includes $62 million for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The NTIA is critical to the effective and efficient deployment of broadband funds across the nation, a top policy priority for NATE. The bill can be found here.

NTIA Issues Support for FCC’s Effort to Increase Wireless Radio Efficiency

On Tuesday, June 28, NTIA announced its support for the FCC’s efforts to increase the efficiency of wireless radios, stating that “receiver performance is increasingly at issue in the management of spectrum.” The Biden Administration supports FCC’s effort that could require manufacturers to make more efficient wireless radio receiver, which equipment manufacturers oppose. You can read more about the FCC’s efforts here.

Chamber of Commerce Holds TecTalk with NTIA’s Alan Davidson

On Thursday, June 30, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce held a TecTalk with NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson, who discussed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), closing the digital divide, and the FCC and NTIA’s joint Spectrum Coordination Initiative. Administrator Davidson was optimistic about the direction of the Initiative and encouraged the private sector to take the lead on deployment of broadband. He also stressed the importance of federal and private sector cooperation. You can watch the conversation here.

FCC’s Rosenworcel Committed to “Rip and Replace”

On Tuesday, June 28, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel spoke at the Rural Wireless Infrastructure Summit in Park City, Utah, where she discussed the importance of the Commission’s new broadband coverage maps in implementing state digital equity plans and how the upcoming 2.5 GHz spectrum auction will involve licensing spectrum primarily to rural areas. Chairwoman Rosenworcel underscored her commitment to working with Congress to fund the FCC’s “rip and replace” program to reimburse many rural operators’ transitions from Chinese-manufactured telecommunications equipment. NATE supports increased funding for the “Rip and Replace” program, for which many small, rural carriers would be eligible. You can read more about the Chairwoman’s statement here.