The FCC has signed an agreement with the National Science Foundation and the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, the White House's top communications adviser, to advance spectrum research R&D.

Also Read: FCC Moves to Free Up Spectrum

The move is a nod both to interagency multilateralism and the value of science, two things the previous Administration was criticized for downplaying.

The NSF is an independent agency created by Congress to "promote the progress of science" among other things.

Last year it created the Spectrum Innovation Initiative "to seek innovative advancements in research and development on the biggest challenges facing the United States due to increased demand for electromagnetic spectrum access."

That sounds like a plan to acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. She called the memorandum of agreement among the three "one step toward revitalizing the interagency coordination process so that it once again is able to produce results for American consumers and the economy," adding: “Better coordination between these agencies ultimately means more spectrum and more innovation to help restore American wireless leadership and build the 5G future.”

Also Read: FCC, NTIA Need to Be Dynamic Duo

“Engaging with spectrum experts from the FCC, NTIA and the NSF on high-impact, cutting-edge research is important to American competitiveness and spectrum sharing," said Acting NTIA Administrator Evelyn Remaley.

The priority goal will be creating the first National Center for Wireless Spectrum Research.

“The Memorandum of Agreement between the National Science Foundation, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission could not come at a better time," said FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington. "It sets the tone for a new era of close coordination among the agencies responsible for freeing up additional spectrum for 5G and other next-generation wireless technologies. At the same time, it signals to incumbent spectrum users that their interests will be protected and that spectrum resources will be put to their highest and best use.”

The chairman of a powerful committee says the government has no businesses using tax dollars to study political messages on Twitter, which drew applause Thursday from one FCC commissioner.

Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, is looking into a government grant to help fund the 'Truthy' study of how information, and misinformation, is spread on Twitter, including its "abuse" via "astroturfing," or the art of masking political messaging.

“The government has no business using taxpayer dollars to support limiting free speech on Twitter and other social media," said Smith in announcing the inquiry. "While the Science Committee has recently looked into a number of other questionable NSF grants, this one appears to be worse than a simple misuse of public funds. The NSF is out of touch and out of control. The Science Committee is investigating how this grant came to be awarded taxpayer dollars. The NSF must be held accountable for its funding decisions.”

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai, who had criticized the study, praised the move.

"I applaud Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Tex.) and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for launching an investigation into the National Science Foundation’s nearly $1 million grant to the “Truthy” project," said  Pai, who had panned the study in an op ed in the Washington Post earlier this week, suggesting the study was akin to the FCC's attempt to poll TV station newspeople on why they covered certain topics.

"In its own words, Truthy aims “to detect political smears, astroturfing, misinformation, and other social pollution” on Twitter. Its stated end goal is to “mitigate the diffusion of false and misleading ideas, [and] detect hate speech and subversive propaganda.” Among other things, Truthy also uses taxpayer dollars to evaluate the “partisanship” of Americans’ Twitter accounts.

"The federal government has no business getting involved in a project that aspires to be the arbiter of political statements made on social media or assesses individuals’ political leanings. I commend the House Science Committee for performing necessary oversight and standing up for the ideals of free speech and open, democratic discourse."