Schatz-Moran Amendment Included in Expansive Wireless Spectrum Legislation
Amendment Would Create National Plan to Boost Unlicensed Spectrum Commonly Used for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Other Wireless Technologies
WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously voted to pass an amendment introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act. The Schatz-Moran amendment would help boost unlicensed spectrum which is commonly used for technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
“For the first time, we’ll have the opportunity to develop a national plan for unlicensed spectrum,” said Senator Schatz. “While much of the conversation on spectrum has been on licensed, we must continue to embrace unlicensed spectrum as a key part of our wireless strategy. It’s critical for consumers and our economy, and its potential is unlimited.”
“I am very pleased our amendment promoting unlicensed spectrum was included in MOBILE NOW,” Senator Moran said. “Our proposal would make certain unlicensed spectrum – which is so important to both innovators and consumers – is firmly represented in the spectrum policy of the future. Wi-Fi should go hand-in-hand with 5G, the next generation of cell phone technology.”
The Schatz-Moran amendment to the MOBILE NOW Act calls for the creation of a National Unlicensed Spectrum Strategy and requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a process that will ensure that future spectrum allocation and assignment actions produce a balance between licensed and unlicensed bands.
Yesterday, Senators Schatz and Moran authored an op-ed in The Hill to underscore the importance of unlicensed spectrum in our national wireless strategy. To read their op-ed, click here.
