A Short History of NTIA

NTIA is the President's principal adviser on telecommunications and information policy issues and, in this role, frequently works with other Executive Branch agencies to develop and present the Administration's position on these issues. In addition, NTIA also manages the Federal use of the spectrum.

Over NTIA's history, it had been at the cutting edge of issues. For example, the NTIA was instrumental in the development of spectrum auctions, and the use of computers to conduct the bidding electronically. Following up on suggestions made by academics, FCC staff members and others, the NTIA published a notice of inquiry in late 1989 that, among other things, suggested the use of competitve bidding (auctions) as a more efficient and fair method for the FCC to assign licenses. In a 1991, the NTIA called for the use of auctions. The NTIA advocated this position for two more years, until President Clinton signed legislation allowing the use of auctions in 1993. The NTIA thereafter encouraged the use of a computerized electronic bidding system, something that had never been done before. NTIA, among other things, worked with experts at the California Institute of Technology, to help develop the basics for the type of system later employed by the FCC.

• The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) was created in 1978 as a result of a major reorganization. This reorganization transferred and combined various functions of the White House's Office of Telecommunications Policy (OTP) and the Commerce Department's Office of Telecommunications (OT).

• OTP, in existence since 1970, was responsible for, among other things, telecommunications policymaking and radio spectrum management on behalf of the President. OT provided staff support for OTP's spectrum management and other functions, which included frequency allocation and assignment, service as Secretariat to the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) (in existance since 1922) and a technical research and analysis capability.

• NTIA's creation was accomplished by Reorganization Plan Number 1 (1977) and implemented with Executive order 12046 (1978). The reorganization undertaken by these documents abolished OTP and, by transferring most of OTP's functions to the Department of Commerce, effectively consolidated OTP with OT. The transferred functions included the President's authority to assign frequencies to radio stations belonging to and operated by the United States and authority to carry out other radio spectrum management activities, and long-range spectrum planning in cooperation with the Federal Communications Commission. The reorganization also transferred certain functions related to the planning and development and other aspects of the communications satellite system. Importantly, it made the Secretary of Commerce the President's principal adviser on telecommunications policy, and transferred functions relating to studies in various areas, including telecommunications research and development and the presentation of Executive Branch views on matters to the FCC and others, among other functions. These documents also established the position of Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.

• Immediately thereafter, the Commerce Secretary prescribed the scope of authority of the Assistant Secretary and created NTIA pursuant to Department Organization Order 10-10. That order delegated to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information the functions transferred to the Secretary of Commerce by the reorganization documents, as well the functions of OT. It also made the Assistant Secretary the Administrator of NTIA. In 1992, the NTIA Organization Act of 1992 codified NTIA's authority in detail and incorporated this organizational structure into statute.

• NTIA also administers telecommunications grant programs. The Public Telecommunications Facilities Program, which awards equipment grants to public telecommunications entities, was transferred to NTIA from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1978. In 1990, Congress established in the Commerce Department the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television. In 1993, Congress established the Telecommunications and Information Assistance Program in NTIA. The Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP) provides matching grants to non-profit organizations to fund projects that improve the quality of, and the public's access to, education, health care, public safety, and other community-based services.

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