INCOMPAS (formerly COMPTEL) has announced its support for the MOBILE NOW Act, draft legislation led by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation.
This legislation reflects the evolution of several bills seeking to expand licensed and unlicensed spectrum for broadband use and promote broadband deployment on federal property.
Congress enacted the Spectrum Pipeline Act as part of its recent budget negotiations. This past weekend, however, members of the Senate Commerce Committee began exploring ways to expand upon that Act’s directive to deploy 30 MHZ of federally-held spectrum for commercial uses by 2022.
By way of a discussion draft, the MOBILE NOW Act would allow federal agencies to keep more of the proceeds from selling their spectrum, and would even allow agencies to lease spectrum to commercial entities
“INCOMPAS welcomes Chairman Thune’s MOBILE NOW Act, and commend him and his Senate colleagues’ efforts to enable private investment and lower deployment barriers to spur broadband growth and availability in both rural and urban communities,” said Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS. “Increasing the availability of spectrum, licensed and unlicensed, along with much needed siting reforms, are an important barrier breaker that will unleash more broadband choices, innovation and investment to communities across the nation. We look forward to working with the committee and outside stakeholders on these key provisions as the legislation moves forward.”
CTIA-The Wireless Association previously iterated its support as well. President and CEO Meredith Attwell Baker noted:
“We are gratified to see Chairman Thune follow through so soon on his statement that the spectrum provisions in the Bipartisan Budget Act were merely a down-payment on a larger spectrum plan to come. We look forward to working with the Chairman, his team and all the members of the Senate Commerce Committee as they work to craft a plan to ensure that America’s wireless industry leads the world in 5G just as we do today in 4G.”
