SpectrumTalk

TAC is Coming Back

Responding to concerns expressed here previously FCC appears to be reviving the Technological Advisory Council, its advisory committee on the technical aspects of communications policy. The following announcement appeared on the FCC home page today:

FCC REQUESTS NOMINATIONS BY MAY 8, 2009 FOR
MEMBERSHIP ON THE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Federal Communications Commission Technological Advisory Council (TAC) is in the process of being reestablished. The Commission is requesting nominations for membership on the TAC for its next 2 year cycle.

In reestablishing the TAC, the Commission noted that rapid advances in technology have resulted in innovations in how telecommunications services are provided to, and are accessed by, users of those services. Many of these advances create challenges and opportunities for the growth of telecommunications and use of the radio spectrum. The Commission must remain abreast of new
developments in technology so that it can effectively fulfill its responsibilities under the Communications Act.

The purpose of the TAC is to provide technical advice to the Federal Communications Commission and to make recommendations on the issues and questions presented to it by the FCC. The TAC will address questions referred to it by the FCC Chairman, the FCC Chief Technologist, the Chief of the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology, or the TAC Designated Federal Officer. The questions referred to the TAC will be directed to technological and technical issues in the field of communications. Among the potential topics that the TAC may consider are spectrum policy, broadband technology and deployment, communications technology that enhances and supports public safety,
Internet security, and communications technology required to support emerging systems such as the smart grid and tele-health applications.

The TAC will meet three to five times per year, with the possibility of more frequent meetings by informal subcommittees. Meetings of the Committee shall be open to the public. Timely notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal Register and will be further publicized through other appropriate vehicles.

The Commission will provide facilities necessary to conduct meetings. Members of the Council will serve without any government compensation, and will not be entitled to travel expenses, per diem or subsistence allowances. The Council will consist of recognized technical experts in telecommunications and related fields.

The Commission will accept nominations for the Council through May 8, 2009. The Commission, at its discretion, may consider nominations received after this date, but consideration of late submissions is not guaranteed. Individuals may apply for, or nominate another individual for, membership on the Council. Each nomination or application must include:

a. the name and title of the applicant or nominee and a description of the interest the
applicant or nominee will represent;
b. the applicant's or nominee's mail address, e-mail address, telephone number, and
facsimile number (where available);
c. reasons whythe applicant or nominee should be appointed to the Council; and
d. the basis for determining the applicant or nominee has achieved peer recognition as a
technical expert.

Nominations and applications should be sent to Jon M. Peha, Chief Technologist, Federal
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 7-C324, Washington, DC 20554 or
e-mail jon.peha@fcc.gov and please include “TAC nomination” in the subject line.

I hope qualified people express interest - you can be sure that every spectrum lobbyist in DC will try to sign up to push their clients' interests. I hope FCC picks as a quality goal that at least half of the members have achieved significant peer recognition such as being a member of the National Academy of Sciences or a fellow of the IEEE. I also hope that FCC decides to make the TAC be subject to the terms of President Obama's memo on Scientific Integrity .