The Senate Commerce Committee voted Wednesday to send Alan Davidson’s nomination to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to the full Senate for confirmation.
In addition to its telecom work, NTIA has helped steer the consumer privacy agenda for past administrations. Davidson previously led a privacy team at Mozilla. He’s been outspoken on privacy and data protection issues.
Unlike Gigi Sohn, the Democratic nominee for the FCC, Davidson avoided criticism from GOP lawmakers at his confirmation hearing, Inside Towers reported. However during yesterday’s vote, Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rick Scott (R-FL) opposed his nomination. They did not say why.
During the hearing, Senators asked Davidson how NTIA would handle the job of distributing to states the $48 billion in broadband grants that the recent bipartisan infrastructure law handed to NTIA. He said it would be handled carefully and as quickly as possible, once the FCC’s improved broadband coverage maps are updated.
Senators were also curious about how NTIA, if he were confirmed, would coordinate spectrum policy with other agencies, like the FCC. Davidson assured Senators he’d make “strengthening federal spectrum coordination a top priority” and help update a FCC-NTIA memorandum of understanding. He called the recent skirmish between the FAA and FCC over the safety of using C-band spectrum for 5G “a prime example of how interagency spectrum coordination has become less effective in recent years, with real-world consequences for spectrum users.”
Both NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and the Wireless Infrastructure Association supported the committee’s action and urged swift Senate confirmation. “During his confirmation hearing, Davidson pledged to coordinate closely with the FCC to ensure broadband funds are deployed properly,” said NATE Director of Government Relations Todd Washam. NATE is “especially gratified” for Davidson’s commitment to ensure that broadband deployment would be technology neutral, added Washam.
WIA President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein has known Davidson for more than two decades. He said he’s “consistently displayed good judgment, deep background in telecommunications and technology, and has performed with outstanding dedication and diligence in both the private sector and public service.” Davidson is “eminently prepared” to lead NTIA “at the most challenging time in its history as it holds responsibility for overseeing unprecedented investments in broadband infrastructure,” said Adelstein.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
Reader Interactions