NTIA’s Top Spectrum Adviser Elevated to Principal Deputy
Tricia Paoletta assumes the second-in-command role as the U.S. prepares for major international negotiations over satellite and wireless spectrum.
WASHINGTON, August 24, 2026 – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is elevating its top spectrum adviser, Tricia Paoletta, to the agency’s number-two political post as the U.S. prepares for a pivotal international spectrum conference.
NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth announced Monday that Paoletta, who has served as the agency’s senior adviser for spectrum since February, will become principal deputy assistant secretary for communications and information, effectively Roth’s top senior political deputy.
Roth framed the move as a strategic gain for U.S. spectrum leadership as it prepares for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference, an important international conference that will likely set rules governing the global use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite resources. The event begins in October 2027 in Shanghai, China.
In a recent interview at the Network X conference, Paoletta said the “vast majority” of WRC-27 agenda items are satellite-related, making space and satellite communications a major focus of NTIA’s preparations.
The United States’ strategic agenda focuses heavily on shaping international rules for a rapidly expanding satellite industry, opening up more spectrum for terrestrial 6G, expanding the regulatory framework for direct-to-device wireless connectivity, and protecting international spectrum management from restrictive geopolitical controls.
NTIA has separately said it is working to build a coalition of foreign partners around U.S. positions at the conference, including on policies governing satellite connectivity.
In this new role, Paoletta is expected to continue her work on NTIA’s spectrum policy agenda, both domestically and internationally, as the agency seeks to identify 500 megahertz of spectrum currently used by federal agencies for potential commercial auction by July 2029.
The mandate calls for NTIA to identify 200 megahertz within the first two years, followed by an additional 300 megahertz. NTIA is studying several bands, including portions of the 2.7 GHz, 4 GHz and 7 GHz bands, for potential reallocation,
“Tricia has been a critical member of the NTIA team over the past several months, helping lead our work to advance America’s spectrum priorities and strengthen U.S. leadership in international telecommunications standards,” Roth said.
Before joining NTIA, she was a partner at HWG focused on telecommunications, trade, and technology policy, and has previously served as director of telecommunications trade policy at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, counsel to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, a senior advisor at the Federal Communications Commission’s International Bureau, and a vice president of government relations at a digital infrastructure provider.
Roth also announced the hiring of two new members of NTIA’s front office: Reagan Harrison, who will serve as senior adviser, and Anna Weaver, who will serve as special adviser for operations.
Harrison joins NTIA from the Senate, where she served as legislative assistant to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va, covering a broad Commerce Committee portfolio including telecommunications and technology issues. She previously worked for Reps. John Joyce, R-Pa.; Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis.; and Andy Harris, R-Md.
Weaver previously worked on Capitol Hill as a staff assistant for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
“I also welcome Reagan and Anna to NTIA, who will make great additions to the front office as we continue to move aggressively on the Trump Administration’s priorities,” Roth said.
