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DA 20-390 
April 8, 2020
 
Announcement of Solicitation of Members for the Advisory 
Committee for the World Radiocommunication Conference 
 
IB Docket No.  16-185 
 
By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) announces the solicitation of members for its World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee (hereinafter the “Committee”), which has been rechartered effective April 2, 2020.  
 
PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS 
 
The Committee’s mission is to provide to the Commission advice, technical support, and recommended proposals for the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs).  In particular, the Committee will focus on the international frequency spectrum issues identified on the WRC-23 agenda with the goal of identifying private sector/public priorities and objectives.  The Committee will be charged with gathering the data and information necessary to formulate meaningful recommendations for these objectives.  Additional information on WRCs, specifically WRC-23, is available at https://www.fcc.gov/wrc-23  
 
BACKGROUND 
 
The Charter for the Committee was renewed for another two (2) year term, effective on April 2, 2020.  The Committee will operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.  Each meeting of the Committee will be open to the public.  A notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal Register at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting.  Records will be maintained of each meeting and made available for public inspection. 
 
WHO MAY APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS 
 
The Commission seeks applications from interested organizations, institutions, or other entities from both the public and private sectors that wish to be considered for membership on the Committee.  Selections will be based on factors such as expertise and diversity of viewpoints that are necessary to address effectively the questions before the Committee.  Individuals who do not represent an organization, institution, or entity, but who possess expertise valuable to the Committee’s work may also apply.  Such applicants should be aware, however, that government ethics rules may require detailed financial and other disclosures as part of the consideration of their application.   
 
Applicants should describe both their specific interests and their expertise or experience as it relates to the questions before the Committee, including such matters as wireless communications infrastructure and equipment, telecommunications, fixed, mobile, broadcasting, satellite, and other radiocommunication services, consumer advocacy, and underserved populations (e.g., persons living in rural areas and tribal communities).   
 
In preparation for WRC-23, it is anticipated that the Committee will continue to meet in Washington, D.C., two to three times per calendar year.  In addition, all members would be expected to participate in working groups for which they have interest and qualifications.  All meetings will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. 
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURE, DEADLINE AND MEMBER APPOINTMENTS 
 
Each organization, institution or entity (organizational applicant) may propose one primary representative.  Organizational applicants are also encouraged to propose one alternate representative. 
 
Submission of the nomination of the organizational applicant’s primary representative or alternative representative should include the nominated person’s complete contact information (email address, telephone number and mailing address) as well as a statement of qualifications. Similarly, those requesting appointment in their individual capacities (and not as an organizational applicant) should also provide complete contact information and a statement of qualifications with their submission. 
 
An organizational applicant’s nomination to the Committee must be confirmed by an authorized person (e.g., company official) confirming that the company wants the nominated person to represent it on the Committee.  This confirmation may be in the following format: 
 
“I am [insert Official’s Name], the [insert Official’s Title] at the [insert name of organization (e.g., company, formal association, etc.)], with responsibilities for [concise description of position].  My organization would like [insert proposed Member’s Name], [who is currently an employee of the company or who is a consultant/attorney to our company] to serve as our representative on the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee.” 
 
Members who are appointed will serve at the discretion of the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.  Applicants must be willing to commit to serve through the completion of the two-year term of the Committee.  We further request that applicants be willing to consider service on any subsequent rechartered Committee, which we expect would continue with preparations for the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (estimated to occur in November 2023).  Members should be willing and able to attend the meetings of the Committee and are also expected to participate in deliberations of at least one working group.  The time commitment to each working group may be substantial.  Working group deliberations may be conducted through e-mail and teleconferences.   
 
Nominations, including contact information and the statement of qualifications, should be submitted by e-mail to WRC-23@fcc.gov by May 29, 2020.  Because the Commission recognizes that technologies and spectrum priorities may evolve over the course of the multi-year WRC-23 preparatory cycle and that the expertise or experience relevant to the mission of this Committee may change over time, the Commission will continue to accept applications for Committee Membership on a rolling basis after the initial May 29, 2020 deadline. 
 
For additional information about the Committee, please contact Dante Ibarra, Designated Federal Official for the Committee, at (202) 418-0610 (Dante.Ibarra@fcc.gov). 
 
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