Technological innovation requires more access to our electromagnetic spectrum. However, spectrum is a limited resource so we have to use it more efficiently. Senator Lee’s Government Spectrum Valuation Act (S. 1626) is the first step to help Congress, the Administration, and the private sector obtain the data we need to better inform our spectrum decision-making. Both government and industry leaders are united around the need for more spectrum access and policies and reforms that would advance this important goal.
One Pager
S.1626 Bill Text
Hearings and Testimony
What do industry leaders have to say?
"Since the advent of wireless broadband, Americans' appetite for wireless technology and applications has grown exponentially. Spectrum is the lifeblood of wireless, and, as next-gen applications like driverless cars, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, telemedicine, and virtual reality continue to evolve, entrepreneurs will need access to more spectrum to unlock the advantages of those innovations for the benefit of the American people."
Ajit Pai
Chairman | Federal Communications Commission
“Senator Lee’s bill would boost spectrum efficiency among government users while freeing critical bands for private sector use. With access to this key ingredient, America’s creators and innovators can continue to dazzle and amaze through new wireless services, ranging from 5G to advanced manufacturing, IoT, and beyond.”
Mike O’Rielly
Commissioner | Federal Communications Commission
“With access to additional spectrum, the Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN) will be able to extend our fiber network to provide faster, more secure access to Utah students and teachers, as well as patients, physicians and rural health care providers. UETN’s use of additional spectrum would also extend high speed connections to libraries, public safety and government, thus improving the quality of life for virtually everyone who lives and works in Utah.”
Ray Timothy, Ph.D.
CEO/Executive Director | Utah Education and Telehealth Network
"The Utah Hospital Association applauds Senator Lee for sponsoring the Government Spectrum Valuation Act. This is an important first step for the United States to continue to maintain its technological leadership. Providing enhanced broadband networks in rural America will enhance and extend the use of telehealth and improve many lives. This is the right bill at the right time to improve America’s technological prowess."
David Gessel
Executive Vice President | Utah Hospital Association
“CTIA commends Senator Lee for his leadership and innovative approach to managing America’s limited spectrum to meet our country’s growing data needs. By determining the market value of federal spectrum, Congress and the Administration will be better equipped to manage the government’s spectrum bands and ensure this valuable taxpayer resource is being put to its highest and best use.”
Kelly Cole
Senior Vice President | Government Affairs
CTIA
"With very low barriers to entry, unlicensed spectrum bands are uniquely positioned to attract investment and foster innovation. Any innovator that follows well-understood technical rules can access unlicensed spectrum. This light-touch regulatory approach has allowed innovators—from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups—to rapidly develop and deliver millions of unlicensed devices to consumers, including Wi-Fi hotspots that are a mainstay of broadband access for cable customers, as well as medical equipment, industrial/logistics/inventory systems, wireless headsets, connected wearables, and many more."
NCTA | The Internet and Television Association
“Proper management and valuation of the electromagnetic spectrum, while incorporating balance between commercial use and the mission requirements of the federal government, are of utmost importance for the United States as a leader in innovation and for current and future endeavors. The legislation goes a long way in bringing to the attention of the NTIA, the FCC, industry, academia, and research organizations the importance of valuation of this critical national resource.”
Dr. Kazem Sohraby
Professor and Associate Dean | College of Engineering and Technology
Utah Valley University
"Union Pacific Railroad and our industry require additional wireless spectrum to improve the safety, efficiency, and capacity of this critical element of our national transportation system. The future integration of automated trucks, automobiles, and railroads will require even more wireless-spectrum to maintain safe operations."
Michael Newcomb
Assistant Vice President | Transportation System Development
Union Pacific Railroad
“AT&T commends Senator Lee for his leadership on a very important issue. As consumers and businesses rely more and more on high-speed internet connectivity, efficient management of our nation’s spectrum — the lifeblood of mobile applications and services — will accelerate telehealth services, distance learning, smart cities, automated manufacturing, precision agriculture and other to be discovered innovations."
AT&T
“STRATA Networks, like all carriers throughout the US, rely critically on access to sufficient spectrum to deliver wireless broadband technologies to rural areas. Although many consumers are unfamiliar with spectrum and it’s function, it is one of the singular most critical components of wireless technology and solutions in our modern world. Spectrum fuels our driverless cars, our smartphones, smart homes, and smart cities. In the past the rules surrounding spectrum auctions have negatively impacted rural consumers due to large market license areas and population coverage requirements. These practices have posed significant barriers to entry for rural and regional carriers who do not have access to the same amount of capital as large carriers. Large carriers, based on simple economics, are incentivized to serve the most populated areas first. Increased access to spectrum for all carriers will lead to innovative advancements in mobile broadband solutions, healthcare, transportation, public safety, and the internet of things.”
STRATA Networks
"Industry access to spectrum ultimately equates to more deployment opportunities for NATE member companies, which stand ready to convert these valuable airwaves into connectivity so that American enterprises and consumers can benefit from a 5G-driven economy. Spectrum is the life-blood that will allow our industry to play a prominent role advancing innovative technologies and solutions like artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems, autonomous vehicles, smart cities and tele-health applications."
Todd Schlekeway
President & CEO | NATE: The Communications Infrastructure
Contractors Association
“The sky is the limit for innovation right here IN the United States with 5G. Be creative and think about consumer needs in this new world . . . think competition for in-home broadband especially in rural America; think remote medical monitoring; think virtual reality in the classroom; think drone deliveries; and think much, much more that is yet to be imagined!”
Tony Russo
Vice President | Federal Government Affairs
T-Mobile
"Spectrum access will enable a more rapid, safe adoption of technologies that utilize the airways for everything from drone package delivery to flying cars. Senator Lee's Government Spectrum Valuation Act is an important step toward increasing access to spectrum that will foster innovation in our industry and others."
Tim Bean | CEO, Fortem Technologies
"We commend Senator Lee for taking this proactive and forward-looking approach that seeks new ways of identifying and utilizing spectrum -- a limited resource that's truly the lifeline of wireless communications. As American consumers and businesses have an increased appetite for cutting-edge wireless devices, services and applications, it is critical to continue our work with the Federal Government and study the value of federal spectrum in order to help the Administration and Congress find the best use cases for its spectrum -- and the best ways to maximize its value for American taxpayers."
Robert Fisher
Senior Vice President of Federal Government Relations
Verizon
"Spectrum is the “Beachfront Property” of the 21st Century information economy. It supports our smartphones in their daily use and makes capable coming autonomous transportation and drone delivery services, optimized energy and water delivery, improvements to air quality, enhanced first responder capabilities, smarter buildings and a future of, as yet, undreamed of new services and applications.
Yet, spectrum is a finite resource facing a growing and virtually limitless demand, a demand that has become of increasingly immediate concern as the US is currently in a hot race with Europe and China for the development of advanced fifth generation wireless services (5G). The University of Utah with its Platform for Open Wireless Data-Driven Experimental Research (POWDER) funded by the NSF and various industry partners is uniquely positioned to understand these concerns and to field test new spectrum use cases and spectrum sharing technologies. It is becoming increasingly clear that expanded access to spectrum for advanced research and then for its optimal future beneficial use is an imperative if the US is to maintain its technological leadership in the information economy of the future."
Andrew Buffmire
Research Corporate Ambassador | College of Engineering
University of Utah
“Apps provide the vital interface and ‘middleware’ for Internet of things (IoT) devices and our members are driving new capabilities in connected healthcare devices, connected cars, precision farming, and more. Federal policies that facilitate efficient spectrum turnover to fuel next generation wireless connectivity—including the Government Spectrum Valuation Act—will pay huge dividends to American workers and consumers, as well as open new opportunities for small businesses in the dynamic app developer community and for IoT innovators.”
Graham Dufault
Senior Director for Public Policy
ACT | The App Association
