House bill would free up more spectrum for auction

Reps. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) on Thursday introduced a bill that would give the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) more government spectrum to auction for commercial wireless use.

Stearns estimated the sale of the additional spectrum would raise $12 billion.

The Efficient Use of Government Spectrum Act would require the FCC to pair the 1755-1780 spectrum block with the 2155-2180 MHz spectrum block, which is already set for auction. Both would be reallocated for commercial wireless use.

Government agencies have resisted efforts to free up the 1755-1780 MHz bands, possibly because of complications that are sure to arise while repurposing that particular band of spectrum, which is largely used by government entities.

"Requiring the FCC to pair for auction the 1755-1780 band with the 2155-2180 band will bring more spectrum to the market and to consumers and raise $12 billion, most of which will go to the U.S. Treasury," Stearns argued in a statement.

Matsui agreed that it would be beneficial for all parties involved. "This bill is a win-win for consumers, and for American innovation,” she said.

The Stearns-Matsui bill would give the Department of Defense and other federal agencies that use the 1755-1780 MHz band five years to clear it. It would also reimburse costs associated with clearing the bands, such as necessary purchases of new equipment.

The FCC's National Broadcast Plan calls for clearing 500 MHz of new commercial spectrum in the next 10 years, and gives the FCC the authority to auction and reallocate both broadcast and government spectrum for commercial uses.