This tidbit has been in the works for some time, and the details as to where WE fit aren't clear yet. Chris W3KD

RCR WirelessNews Wireless Bureau reorganized November 24 13:31:00, 2003 <<...OLE_Obj...>> <<A HREF="http://rcrnews.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?newsId=16049&print=Y">http://rcrnews.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?newsId=16049&print=Y</A>>

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission today said the Wireless Bureau has been reorganized to more effectively support strategic goals regarding broadband, competition, spectrum, media, homeland security and agency modernization.

The FCC said the scope and size of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's larger divisions have been reduced to improve managerial oversight, and that organizational substructures, such as separate branches under the division level, have been eliminated.

The agency said the reorganization does not add or remove functions from the bureau's portfolio and has been accomplished through the redeployment of existing positions.

"This reorganization provides the Wireless Bureau with a structure to address the dynamic challenges facing a 21st century regulatory agency," stated John Muleta, chief of the WTB. "The result is a mission-driven team that will be innovative in its approach to regulatory policies and customer service."

As part of the reorganization, the Bureau now includes the following six Divisions:

Auctions and Spectrum Access Division-Promotes transparent, efficient and effective access to spectrum, through the development of policy initiatives and legal analysis, as well as procedures and administrative capability, to implement the FCC's competitive bidding authority and the transition of spectrum to new and innovative uses. Addresses issues relating to statutory authority and objectives, Commission rules and policies, and the planning, design, and conduct of spectrum auctions. Margaret Wiener, formerly Chief of the Auctions and Industry Analysis Division, will be the Division Chief.

Broadband Division-Facilitates the rapid, widespread deployment of wireless broadband services to rural and metropolitan areas. Consolidates the policy, regulatory and licensing functions for wireless broadband services, excluding public safety and critical infrastructure services. Joel Taubenblatt, formerly Deputy Chief of the Policy Division, will be the Division Chief.

Mobility Division-Promotes competitive and innovative mobile radio services and maximizes efficient use of the mobile radio spectrum. Consolidates the policy, regulatory and licensing functions for wireless mobile services, excluding public safety and critical infrastructure services. Roger Noel, formerly Deputy Chief of the Commercial Wireless Division, will be the Division Chief.

Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure Division-Consolidates wireless homeland security and public safety issues and outreach within one Division, including E911 and interoperability issues, as well as policy, regulatory and licensing functions for both public safety entities and the nation's critical infrastructure industries. D'Wana Terry, formerly Chief of the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, will be the Division Chief.

Spectrum and Competition Policy Division-Formulates and implements innovative spectrum, competition, and infrastructure policies that promote access to and efficient use of radio spectrum for wireless telecommunications and encourage competition in the communications marketplace. Issues include Spectrum Policy Task Force implementation, wireless/wireline convergence, secondary markets, wireless consumer policy, competition reporting, facilities and tower siting, and broad policy guidance for future technological developments. William Kunze, formerly Chief of the Commercial Wireless Division, will be the Division Chief.

Spectrum Management Resources and Technologies Division-Combines the bureau's information technology, licensing support, and auctions support and outreach functions (currently divided between two Divisions) in order to improve planning and implementation of the Bureau's unique and highly integrated system needs. John Chudovan, formerly Chief of the Data Management Division, will be the Division Chief.

The FCC said the reorganization of the bureau was approved by the commission on November 13.