Fischer Highlights Importance of U.S. Strength at World Radiocommunication Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In her opening statement during today's Senate Commerce Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee hearing, Chairman Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) spoke to the importance of the United States coordinating a strong leadership position ahead of the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference in Shanghai, China.

Sen. Fischer's remarks as prepared for delivery:

"Distinguished Members of the Committee, and our witnesses - thank you for being here today to discuss the United States' preparation for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference.

"The World Radiocommunication Conference - convened by the International Telecommunication Union every four years - is one of the most consequential global fora for spectrum policy.

"The decisions made at these conferences shape the international rules governing how radiofrequency spectrum is allocated and shared around the world.

"Those decisions have far-reaching implications for U.S. economic competitiveness, national security, scientific research, and the continued leadership of the United States in wireless and satellite technologies.

"Next year's conference will be hosted in Shanghai, and the Chinese Communist Party will certainly be prepared to advance positions meant to undermine the United States' leadership.

"The United States must enter these negotiations with a strong position. This requires a tightly coordinated interagency process.

"This process, which is led by NTIA, begins with federal agencies providing technical input and operational perspectives on each agenda item under consideration for WRC-27. The United States' final position should reflect the full range of national spectrum interests.

"Among agencies, the Department of Defense plays a particularly significant role. DOD is the largest federal user of radiofrequency spectrum within the federal government, and many of its most critical capabilities - including satellite communications, radars, and missile warning systems - depend on reliable and interference-free spectrum access.

"As the WRC agenda looks to address space-related services and satellite operations, the intersection between international spectrum policy and national security becomes more pronounced.

"National security missions cannot simply be engineered around certain commercial spectrum priorities. This is exactly why Congress exempted the 7.4-8.4 gigahertz band from FCC auction authority last year, in addition to the lower three gigahertz band.

"Other federal agencies also contribute essential expertise to the interagency process. NASA and NOAA depend on spectrum for scientific satellites and weather monitoring systems that are crucial for forecasting and climate observation.

"The FAA relies on spectrum for aviation safety and navigation systems that support the integrity of the global aviation network.

"Each of these missions must be carefully considered as the United States evaluates proposed regulatory changes at the international level - where they will inevitably impact the domestic use of America's airwaves.

"The challenge - and the responsibility - of the interagency process is to reconcile these diverse needs, and translate them into a cohesive position that advances American innovation and resilience.

"This unified position will allow the United States to engage effectively with regional partners, build coalitions with Allied nations, and advocate confidently for outcomes that protect U.S. interests.

"Those interests are substantial.

"The regulatory frameworks adopted at WRC-27 will influence how the next generation of satellite constellations operate, influence the coexistence of emerging communications services, and influence how spectrum policy supports both economic growth and national security.

"That is why preparation for WRC-27 is not a short-term exercise.

"Today's committee hearing examines how best to support the interagency process in the coming months. We all share the goal of advancing U.S. leadership in spectrum and in space.

"Thank you, and I look forward to your testimonies."

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