Republicans introduce bicameral bill to make more commercial spectrum available

Republicans in both chambers of Congress recently unveiled bicameral legislation to open up the nation’s mid-band spectrum for commercial use.

U.S. House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) on Oct. 6 sponsored the Beat China by Harnessing Important, National Airwaves for 5G Act of 2020, or the Beat CHINA for 5G Act of 2020, H.R. 8545. The bill was cosponsored by House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY), House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Republican Leader.

U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and committee member U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) plan soon to introduce the same-named version in the Senate. 

“Americans have experienced the importance of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, and our reliance on wireless-connected devices will only grow in the future,” the Republicans said in a joint statement. “It is essential for the U.S. to win the technological race against China, and we need to unleash critical mid-band spectrum to get us there.”

Specifically, the bill would authorize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to open more mid-band spectrum for non-federal, commercial wireless use by requiring the FCC to begin an auction of the 3.45-3.55 gigahertz (GHz) band by December 2021, according to a bill summary provided by the Republicans.

In their statement, the lawmakers noted that freeing up the 3.45-3.55 GHz band for commercial use “will propel U.S. innovation in deploying 5G, expanding the Internet of Things, closing the digital divide, increasing internet access for schools and students, and improving connectivity across communities.”

“We are proud to introduce the bicameral Beat CHINA for 5G Act of 2020 and will continue to do all we can to advance U.S. leadership in 21st-century technologies,” said the lawmakers.