Thune helps introduce Spectrum Innovation Act

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) on April 28 cosponsored a bipartisan bill that would make key mid-band spectrum available for auction to support the continued rollout of 5G networks that are growing the nation’s economy, creating jobs and helping to address the digital divide.

Sen. Thune introduced the Spectrum Innovation Act of 2022, S. 4117, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM). The bill is the U.S. Senate version of the same-named H.R. 5378, sponsored in September 2021 by U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA).

Specifically, the bill would direct the Office of Management and Budget to transfer $50 million from the Spectrum Relocation Fund to be provided to specific federal agencies to make available additional frequencies in the 3.1–3.45 gigahertz (GHz) band for non-federal use, shared federal and non-federal use, or a combination thereof, according to the text of the bill.

“Ensuring that communication providers have the necessary spectrum to deploy nationwide 5G has long been a priority for me,” Sen. Thune said. “I’m pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that would build on the work of my MOBILE NOW Act, which became law in 2018, by freeing up much-needed mid-band spectrum, an action that would both improve mobile networks and reduce the deficit.”

In addition to allowing up to 200 megahertz of spectrum to be auctioned for mobile broadband, the bill would help usher in new, innovative and flexible spectrum uses, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Thune’s staff.

The Competitive Carriers Association, CTIA, the Internet and Television Association, and the Public Knowledge and the Open Technology Institute at New America have endorsed the bill.