The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to vote today on the budget reconciliation bill. A draft calls for the FCC’s spectrum auction authority to be restored until September 30, 2034.
It calls for the identification at least 600 MHz of spectrum allocated for federal, non-federal or shared use to be reallocated “for non-federal use on an exclusive, licensed basis for mobile broadband services, fixed broadband services, mobile and fixed broadband services, or a combination,” according to the text. The spectrum being considered is between 1.3 to 10 GHz, excluding between 3.1 and 3.45 GHz, and also excluding the bands between 5.925 and 7.125 GHz.
The spectrum reallocation should occur within two years of the bill’s enactment, according to the text. It also calls for the FCC to auction 200 MHz of this spectrum no later than three years after the bill is enacted with the remaining spectrum to be auctioned within six years of enactment.
The auction proceeds are to be used to cover 110 percent of federal relocation or sharing costs. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) is looking to the FCC to raise $88 billion from spectrum auctions, he wrote in an Op Ed published in the Wall Street Journal.
CTIA President/CEO Ajit Pai praised the inclusion of the reauthorization of FCC spectrum auction authority with a pipeline of 600 MHz of spectrum for full-power, licensed commercial use. He said such a “concrete pipeline, paired with clear deadlines is critical to meeting consumer demand for mobile connectivity, promoting U.S. economic competitiveness, and protecting national security. We urge Congress to advance this legislation quickly so that America’s wireless providers can put these airwaves to work–creating jobs, growing our economy, fostering competition and innovation across industries, and restoring America’s global leadership in wireless.”
WIA President/CEO Patrick Halley commended Chairman Guthrie, committee members, and the administration “for working together to map out a plan.” He explained, “Strong leadership is what is needed to get this done. A predictable spectrum pipeline is necessary to fuel tomorrow’s wireless needs and continue American leadership and economic growth.”
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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