DSO - STRATEGIC SPECTRUM PLANNING

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Spectrum Strategic Planning

Demand for spectrum access is greater than ever. According to CTIA – The Wireless Association, in the US, use of cell phones and similar devices has grown from approximately 34 million subscribers in 1995 to 303 million in 2010! The DoD's needs to provide timely accurate information anywhere, at any time has created similar demands on spectrum access. In order to satisfy increasing spectrum demands with decreasing spectrum access, the DoD must maintain an aggressive strategy to transform spectrum management to increase efficiency while not degrading mission effectiveness.

Defense Spectrum Management Architecture

In response to the need to transform spectrum management in the Department, DoD has created an architecture that provides the blueprint for next-generation strategic planning and spectrum supportability. The Defense Spectrum Management Architecture (DSMA) is the Department's architecture to describe our spectrum management transformation. It supports requirements definition, guides acquisition decisions, and enables successful planning and operations.

Spectrum management needs to be an integral part of the DoD acquisition process and battlespace resource management.

Through the DSMA, the DSO is providing an updated strategic approach to maximize spectrum use in all dimensions, including frequency, space, time, power, and signal structure.

DSMA V3.0 is DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) V1.5 conformant and is available via the DoD Architecture Registry System. DSMA V4.0 will be released shortly and will be DoDAF V2 conformant.

Strategic Spectrum Implementation Roadmap

The DSO is currently taking information from the DSMA and other sources, and preparing a description of the planned and necessary programs over the next 15 years. The Strategic Spectrum Implementation Roadmap will describe in layman's terms, how the respective programs fit into the DoD's spectrum transformation planning and where gaps still exist.

DSO Provides Leadership in a Time of Spectrum Reallocation

In support of the National Broadband Plan, President Obama mandated that 500 MHz of spectrum be reallocated to support advanced commercial wireless communications services. Much of this spectrum will be reallocated from Federal use. While the DoD supports the goals of bringing affordable, high-speed internet access to all Americans, the reallocation must be done in such a way as to not adversely impact the DoD in support of its missions.

At the same time that spectrum demand is growing in the private sector, military spectrum requirements are also increasing. Net-centric operations cannot be achieved without increased use of wireless devices that require access to the same electromagnetic spectrum as the commercial users.

The DSO is working closely with the Military Services, the DoD Chief Information Office (DoD CIO), and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (OSD CAPE), providing the technical and project management expertise to ensure that affected DoD systems will be relocated without detrimental impact to the DoD in defense of the American people.

Fast Track Analysis and 10-Year Plan

The approach to the reallocation process is occurring in two phases. Initially, 300 MHz of spectrum was identified that can be reallocated within 5 years. Then, an additional 200 MHz will be identified to be reallocated within 10 years. In 2010, the DSO supported the DoD and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in identifying 115 MHz of federally authorized spectrum for reallocation within 5 years.

In 2011 and 2012, the DSO will support the DoD in identifying additional spectrum as part of the 10- Year Plan.

World Radiocommunication Conference

The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is a global diplomatic meeting, held every 3-5 years by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is the United Nations' specialized agency for telecommunications. Virtually every country in the world sends a delegation to the WRC. The Conference re-examines and revises the ITU's Radio Regulations, which guide the use of radio-frequency (RF) spectrum and have the status of a binding treaty. The head of the US delegation has plenipotentiary status as Ambassador.

The Defense Spectrum Organization (DSO), the center of spectrum engineering and policy expertise within the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), plays the CRITICAL role in the Department of Defense (DoD) preparations for each WRC cycle. DSO is responsible for achieving consensus among the different DoD agencies, military departments (MILDEPs) and Joint Staff. DSO is the steering member of the International Permanent Working Group of the Military Communications Electronics Board’s Frequency Panel, which is tasked with DoD WRC preparations. In addition, DSO provides the US WRC Ambassador technical support and regulatory guidance on DoD issues.

International Process - National governments build coalitions around their positions through existing regional organizations, such as the telecommunications branch of the Organization of American States (known as CITEL) and others representing Europe, Asia and Oceania, Africa, the Arab states and the former Soviet republics. The agreed-upon common positions are advanced globally through ITU channels, culminating at the WRC. NATO and the Combined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB) develop allied military WRC positions to influence civil regulators and the civil sector. DSO directly participates in ITU and allied WRC preparatory activities, ensuring that DoD equities are considered throughout each WRC cycle.

Domestic Process - US positions in a WRC cycle are developed via a dual process, in which federal agencies, including DoD, generate positions through the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, while industry and state/local governments develop their positions through the Federal Communications Commission. DoD competes with interests of all other U.S. Federal Agencies, and the interests of industry, in U.S. position formulation. DSO works closely with the military services to ensure DoD equities are considered throughout both processes. DSO then continues advocating for defense community interests, as often-contradictory positions are reconciled by the State Department. Once reconciled, positions are adopted by State as official US positions. DSO plays a vital role in advancing these positions through technical studies and international outreach. During the six months prior to and during the Conference, DSO directly supports the U.S. WRC Ambassador as a member of the U.S. Core Delegation.