“A push to update the IT systems used to allocate spectrum to federal agencies is raising broader questions about the use of radio frequency bands across government. Former government technology officials canvassed by FedScoop welcomed recent calls to update Spectrum XXI and the Equipment Location-Certification Information Database, but said any such IT modernization push should be accompanied with a wider rethink of the spectrum allocation process...” “The comments come after a government watchdog in February raised concerns about the age of Spectrum XXI and the Equipment Location-Certification Information Database. Both systems are used by agency to determine current use of spectrum and to request additional frequency allocation from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce. GAO in its report advocated that replacement IT systems should be adopted, and highlighted the potential cybersecurity risks from such platforms...” “Currently, federal agencies must follow a laborious, multi-step process to request spectrum from the NTIA, which is intended to prevent interference between different users. It involves submitting any request for review by an IRAC Frequency Assignment Subcommittee, which then reviews any request for possible objections and works to solve any inter-agency disputes...” Read the full article here. Source: Aging IT systems pose wider questions about federal spectrum allocation – By John Hewitt Jones, April 11, 2022. FedScoop.