Dozens of lawmakers call for more unlicensed spectrum

Dozens of House lawmakers called for Congress to preserve the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) authority to set aside airwaves, or spectrum, for unlicensed use.

The 42 lawmakers, led by Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA), argued that additional unlicensed spectrum, which can be used by any company for free, would spur innovation and economic growth. A congressional conference committee is expected to include provisions that would restructure how the country uses its airwaves as part of a package to extend payroll tax cuts. In their letter to the conference committee, the lawmakers said Congress should allow the FCC to set aside additional unlicensed spectrum, including some of the most valuable frequencies in the broadcast television band. "Exploring the use of beachfront spectrum, specifically in the television band, is vital given its ability to penetrate buildings, enhance rural coverage, and carry more data traffic than traditional Wi-Fi," the lawmakers wrote. They claimed that setting aside additional unlicensed spectrum would "unlock billions of dollars in private investment, new innovations, job creation, and economic growth." The letter was mostly signed by Democrats, but in addition to Issa, the group also included Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Dave Reichert (R-WA).