Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel C. Fick and Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Steve Lang are traveling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to attend the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) that begins on Monday, November 20. DAS Lang will serve as the head of the U.S. delegation to WRC-23, a delegation of nearly 200 participants, including Department of Commerce Assistant Secretaries Alan Davidson and Michael Morgan; Department of Defense Brigadier General AnnMarie Anthony; Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel; FCC Commissioners Anna Gomez and Geoffrey Starks; National Aeronautics and Space Administration Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy; White House Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer for Policy Austin Bonner; and other representatives from the U.S. government and U.S. telecommunications sector.
World Radiocommunication Conferences are held every four years by the International Telecommunication Union to update the international Radio Regulations – a treaty-level instrument governing the global coordination and use of the radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbital resources. WRC-23 is a significant opportunity to advance U.S. interests related to telecommunications, innovation, economic growth, and national security.
As the head of the U.S. delegation, DAS Lang’s role is to advance U.S. priorities and interests at the conference. Policy priorities include ensuring U.S. leadership in future 5G spectrum availability, expanding connectivity and driving innovation, unlocking the space economy and promoting the next generation of space science, protecting national defense capabilities, and preserving radio frequency for maritime and aviation safety.
