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Commerce's TA and NTIA Would Merge under Secretary's Proposal
To better formulate technology and telecommunications policy, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans has proposed merging the Department's Technology Administration (TA), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the e-commerce policy functions of the International Trade Administration (ITA) into a single agency. The merger is intended 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. Under Secretary of Technology Phil Bond would oversee the new agency that would focus on such issues as technical standards, spectrum management, and technology and e-commerce policy issues.
"The synergy between technology and telecommunications is a global reality," Under Secretary Bond said in a press statement. "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."
The reorganization plan requires Congressional approval.