Spectrum Bill Passes Senate Commerce Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) released the following statement after the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed the Mobile Now Act, legislation that aims to increase wireless spectrum availability and improve broadband infrastructure. The legislation included several of Senator Booker’s technology priorities that will help expand broadband access and advance responsible national spectrum policy.
“In a society and an economy that is increasingly reliant on wireless technology, it is imperative that we create policies that provide access and opportunity for all Americans. I’m proud to have championed several bipartisan initiatives in this bill that help level the technology playing field and fuel U.S. innovation.
“We are at the forefront of exciting innovations from connected cars to new healthcare devices, and we must create a regulatory environment that keeps up with the pace of change and maintains America’s global leadership. I’m pleased that our efforts to ensure a well-balanced approach to spectrum policy that incorporates both licensed and unlicensed spectrum was included in this legislation along with several other key priorities, and I look forward to seeing the bill advance to the full Senate.”
The Mobile Now Act includes the following key Booker priorities:
Gardner–Booker Amendment to set a floor for unlicensed and licensed spectrum in the Mobile Now Act:
The Senator’s provision ensures that of the 255 MHz of spectrum identified in the Mobile Now Act, a minimum of 100 MHz is reserved for licensed mobile use to help ease the looming spectrum crunch as more Americans rely on mobile services for their primary means of communication. The amendment also ensures a minimum of 100 MHz of spectrum would go to unlicensed use, which by definition is open as a valuable resource to all, fueling innovation and powering wireless connected devices of all kinds.
Booker-Rubio Amendment to help us close the digital divide:
This initiative will provide data on the impact of accessible, affordable Wi-Fi in low income areas. This provision was originally included in the Senators’ WiFi Innovation Act.