Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2025

This bill opens up a big stretch of the nation’s airwaves (between 1.3 and 13.2 GHz) to help improve wireless service and Wi‑Fi. It tells federal officials to find at least 2,500 MHz in that range that can be moved to non‑federal or shared use, including at least 1,250 MHz for full‑power, licensed commercial broadband. The FCC must auction those licenses and also make at least 125 MHz available for unlicensed uses (like Wi‑Fi).

The plan runs on a timeline: identify at least 1,250 MHz within 2 years and the rest within 5 years; auction at least 600 MHz within 3 years and the rest within 6 years; and make any remaining identified spectrum available, licensed or unlicensed, within 8 years. The law also extends the FCC’s auction authority through September 30, 2027, and requires regular reports and briefings to keep Congress updated.

To help clear the airwaves, it speeds up federal notice timelines from 30 or 60 days to 15 days and lets agencies replace old systems with modern ones when that helps free up more valuable spectrum for public use.

Key points:

• Who is affected: wireless carriers and their customers, Wi‑Fi users, device makers, and federal agencies that use these airwaves today.
• What changes: more spectrum for licensed broadband through auctions and a slice for unlicensed use; faster decisions and more oversight during the transition.
• When: identify spectrum within 2 and 5 years; auctions within 3 and 6 years; all remaining identified spectrum available within 8 years; auction authority runs through Sept. 30, 2027.