MOBILE NOW: The Senate bill that could save the Internet

Unfortunately, after the Federal Communications Commission holds its spectrum auction in 2016, there are no more auctions on the horizon to meet growing needs. That’s a major problem because experts predict the wireless industry will require more than 350 MHz of licensed spectrum to accommodate current projections of mobile wireless demand. Fortunately, lawmakers recognize the problem. As part of Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA’15), Congress took a first step towards creating a long-term supply of commercial spectrum. The Senate Commerce Committee may soon take the next step by working on bipartisan legislation that goes further to bridge the gap between Americans’ demand for mobile broadband and the available airwaves and infrastructure necessary to meet it.

The Committee’s draft bill includes:

• Completing the President’s 2010 commitment to make a total of 500 MHz of spectrum available by 2020
• Expediting state and local approvals for cellular tower siting, as well as tower siting on federal lands.
• A “Dig Once” provision that requires municipalities to install broadband conduits during street construction projects, a bipartisan idea endorsed by Sens. Daines and Klobuchar, and Reps. Eshoo, Matsui and Walden.
• Offering incentives to agencies to identify opportunities for agencies to improve spectral efficiency.