[Ecommerce] DOC E-Commerce/Telecom Polcy reorganization

[James Love]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 13, 2003
http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/2003_Releases/Feb/13_TA_modernization.htm

Commerce Department Announces Plan for Modernization of Technology Agencies


U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans announced today
that he will propose to modernize the structure for
the Department’s formulation of technology and
telecommunications policy. The new structure will
combine the Technology Administration (TA), the
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA), and the e- commerce policy
functions of the International Trade Administration
(ITA) into one consolidated and well-coordinated
agency.

“Convergence is the business model in the digital
economy – it should be the business model in the
federal government,” said Secretary Evans. “This
Administration understands that our global marketplace
has changed and that telecom and technology operate
together, not separately. We need to adjust our
thinking and adjust our structure to keep pace with
the world, our economy and innovation.”

The Department of Commerce currently develops and
implements technology and telecommunications policy in
three bureaus: the TA, NTIA, and ITA. To complement
the recent convergence in the private sector of
technology and communications companies, Secretary
Evans is proposing to reorganize Departmental
personnel and management to facilitate coordination in
domestic and international policy development for
these increasingly inter-related sectors of the
economy.

“These changes make sense -- for the Department, for
industry, and for the American people,” said Deputy
Secretary of Commerce Sam Bodman, “and they support
the President's focus on improving management and
policy coordination across government.”

“These organizational changes will institutionalize
the effective and productive working relationship that
I have developed with TA under the leadership of Under
Secretary Phil Bond, and this also puts in place a
workable structure that will benefit our successors in
the years to come,” said Nancy J. Victory, Assistant
Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA
Administrator. “What matters most is performance and
results, and we believe these organizational changes
will help us accomplish our jobs and better serve the
American people.”

Under the new organizational structure being proposed,
the Under Secretary for Technology would oversee the
new agency that would focus on a range of issues
including technical standards, spectrum management,
and technology and e-commerce policy issues.

“The synergy between technology and telecommunications
is a global reality,” added Under Secretary of
Technology Phil Bond. “Bringing TA together with the
NTIA and a portion of ITA will enhance the
Administration’s focus on issues critical to our
innovation economy and America’s technological
leadership. We look forward to working with Congress
on this proposal.”

The proposed changes will require Congressional approval.