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Congress in March 2023 let the Federal Communications
Commission's authority to auction spectrum lapse for the first
time in three decades amid debate about what spectrum used by
the Defense Department could be repurposed or shared.
But demand for spectrum use is soaring, driven in part by
advancements in drones, self-driving vehicles, moon missions and
precision agriculture. Mobile U.S. wireless data traffic rose
38% in 2022, the largest-ever increase in mobile data traffic.
The "Spectrum Pipeline" bill sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz and
John Thune would require the Commerce Department's National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to
identify at least 2,500 megahertz of mid-band spectrum that
could be reallocated from federal government use to
non-governmental or shared use over the next 5 years.
The bill would require the FCC to auction at least 1,250
megahertz of spectrum for full-power commercial wireless
services, including 5G, within six years - and at least 600
megahertz within 3 years.
"To dominate in next-generation wireless technologies, stay
ahead of our adversaries, and advance strong economic growth,
the U.S. must create a pipeline to expand commercial access to
mid-band spectrum,” Cruz, the top Republican on the Commerce
Committee, said in a statement to Reuters.
The NTIA announced steps in November aimed at freeing up
additional wireless spectrum by repurposing spectrum currently
set aside for parts of the federal government but has come under
fire from Republicans for not moving fast enough.
The White House National Spectrum Strategy and presidential
memorandum includes a study of more than 2,700 MHz of spectrum
for potential repurposing, including more than 1,600 megahertz
of mid-band spectrum.
Industry group CTIA, which represents AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
and other telecom companies, praised the Cruz-Thune bill saying
it would "create a strong pipeline of full-power, licensed
spectrum that will support Americans’ growing wireless data use,
protect our national security, and infuse real competition in
the home broadband market."
Last month, three other senators urged the Biden administration
not to strip the Defense Department of spectrum used for
military radar systems in favor of commercial wireless.
Auctions of spectrum have raised $233 billion in proceeds for
the U.S. government over the last 30 years.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
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