Office of Spectrum Management

Overview
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Office of Spectrum Management (OSM) is dedicated to protecting the vital Federal government operations that use spectrum while supporting the growth of commercial Wireless broadband and technologies in the United States. Many federal agencies rely on the use of spectrum 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 U.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.