Sponsors (2)
The bill would free large amounts of mid/high‑band spectrum to accelerate commercial broadband and unlicensed connectivity while speeding reimbursements and transparency, but it raises substantial fiscal, oversight, competition, and security risks from relocating critical Federal systems and funding higher‑cost replacements.
Consumers, businesses, and carriers: reallocates large swaths of mid/high‑band spectrum (up to 2,500 MHz overall, including at least 1,250 MHz for full‑power commercial broadband) to expand capacity and enable faster mobile speeds and wider 5G deployment.
Students and low‑income individuals: at least 125 MHz will be made available for unlicensed use within two years, supporting expanded Wi‑Fi and lower‑cost connectivity options.
Device makers and the broader marketplace: harmonizing U.S. allocations across 1.3–13.2 GHz can align U.S. bands with global allocations, lowering device costs and speeding deployment of compatible equipment.
Federal agencies, public safety, and the military: reallocation and relocation activities could disrupt critical Federal systems (defense, aviation, weather) during transitions or sharing, risking operations and national security functions.
Taxpayers and the Spectrum Relocation Fund: relocating Federal users and allowing reimbursement for full 'state‑of‑the‑art' replacements may substantially increase costs borne by taxpayers or deplete the Fund, creating fiscal pressure or limiting resources for other relocations.
Small and new providers and rural consumers: auctioning large blocks of mid/high‑band spectrum could raise spectrum acquisition costs and increase barriers to entry, reducing competition and potentially increasing consumer prices.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Directs NTIA and the FCC to identify and reallocate 2,500 MHz in 1.3–13.2 GHz for non‑Federal, shared, and commercial use with set auction and timing deadlines and speeds relocation procedures.
Requires the Commerce Department (NTIA) working with the FCC to identify and free up 2,500 MHz of spectrum inside the 1.3–13.2 GHz band for commercial, shared, or unlicensed use on fixed deadlines, including at least 1,250 MHz for full‑power commercial licensed broadband. It also directs the FCC to auction and/or make portions available for unlicensed use on set schedules and speeds up timelines and tighter rules for Federal relocation reimbursements through the Spectrum Relocation Fund.
Official title: To require the Federal Communications Commission to auction spectrum in the band between 1.3 gigahertz and 13.2 gigahertz, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Rick W. Allen · Last progress January 23, 2025