WASHINGTON – The Senate today unanimously passed Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-LA) 5G Spectrum Station License Enforcement (SALE) Act. The bill would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release previously auctioned spectrum to expand 5G broadband access to rural areas.
“My 5G Sales Act will provide broadband access to Americans by giving the FCC the authority to transfer previously auctioned spectrum to companies that provide 5G services. The House should quickly send this bill to the President’s desk so that job providers who rely on wireless communications across the country can continue to support rural economies.” said Kennedy.
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, President Kennedy asked FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel about the commission’s expiring authority to transfer spectrum licenses that have already been sold at auction. The 5G Sales Act temporarily grants the FCC auction authority needed to complete spectrum transfers, allowing broadband services to provide greater 5G network coverage to rural Americans. .
background:
In 2022, the FCC auctioned off about 8,000 licenses that give companies access to America’s broadband spectrum. These licenses are the only way companies can legally use the airwaves to provide their customers with 5G. Therefore, these wavelengths are very valuable.
Congress failed to reauthorize the FCC’s authority to auction off licenses in bulk between the time companies paid for the licenses and the time the FCC was supposed to distribute them. Currently, the companies that purchased spectrum in that auction are waiting to receive their transfers. Even though the payments have been made, the FCC says it no longer has the authority to grant these licenses.
President Kennedy’s bill would give the FCC one-time temporary authority to issue licenses purchased at auctions held by March 9, 2023, when the FCC’s Congressional authorization ends. .
The full text of the 5G SALE Act can be found here.
