WASHINGTON, DC - The House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), today discussed the future of U.S. spectrum policy. With ever increasing demand for this finite resource, members explored how the federal government can help meet America’s spectrum needs.
“There’s no question that mobile technology is one of the key components of the economy of both today and of the future," said Walden. “Time and again, as the country that pioneered spectrum auctions once, and is in the process of doing it again, the world looks to the United States to lead spectrum policy and answer the challenge of meeting spectrum demand. We must continue to rise to that challenge."
Members today reviewed the FCC’s progress toward the first-of-its-kind Incentive Auction. The auction - a result of bipartisan work on the committee - stands to free up valuable spectrum for licensed and unlicensed use. Members raised a number of questions about the auction including what is being done to ensure broadcasters choosing not to participate are not adversely affected, cross border coordination of spectrum use, and ensuring that small businesses, including those owned by women and minority groups, have the ability to compete in the auction.
Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) discussed their work to increase the efficiency of federal spectrum use, and today reintroduced the Federal Spectrum Incentive Act. The bipartisan legislation, H.R. 1641, aims to incentivize federal agencies to free up additional spectrum for commercial use by relocating and consolidating spectrum holdings in return for a portion of the auction revenues as compensation. “By encouraging federal agencies to make additional spectrum available, we can invest in innovation and ensure spectrum is available to meet the demands of our critical emergency needs and commercial uses," said Guthrie. Watch Guthrie discuss H.R. 1641, which was cosponsored by Walden and subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA), here.
Click to watch Rep. Guthrie
“Spectrum is a vital resource for the future of our economy and sound policy will ensure the continued leadership of the United States in the mobile space," concluded Upton. “As the committee responsible for this sector, it’s essential that we continue to keep an eye on the status of the spectrum in the pipeline and what is being done to make it available for consumer use. If we do our jobs right, the future for consumers, jobs, and our economy is very bright."
