Introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz, John Thune, and Marsha Blackburn

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband Ranking Member John Thune (R-S.D.), and Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security Ranking Member Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024 to significantly increase commercial access to mid-band spectrum.

The senators’ legislation was welcomed by over a dozen broadband experts, stakeholders, and government officials. Read the full statements of support below.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr

“I applaud Senator Cruz and Senator Thune for their leadership in crafting this smart and effective bill, which if enacted will restore America’s leadership in wireless,” said Commissioner Carr. “Their policy work here is vital because the legislation would not only bring Americans across the digital divide and encourage innovation, it would strengthen America’s economic and national security, too. The Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024 represents the bold and thoughtful approach needed to get the U.S. back on track.”

FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington

“I applaud the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024,” said Commissioner Simington. “It is a commonsense approach to quickly identify and allocate spectrum for commercial use. It also recognizes and addresses the fact that the U.S. faces a shortage of licensed mid-band spectrum. The range of bands identified in this bill and the emphasis on licensed spectrum is crucial to allowing the U.S. to keep its competitive edge against China as the world’s technology leader.”

CTIA - The Wireless Association

“CTIA commends Senators Cruz and Thune for introducing the Spectrum Pipeline Act,” said CTIA President & CEO, Meredith Attwell Baker. “We thank the Senators for their leadership in pursuing the needed action to restore the FCC’s auction authority and create a strong pipeline of full-power, licensed spectrum that will support Americans’ growing wireless data use, protect our national security, and infuse real competition in the home broadband market. We look forward to working with Congress on legislation that will ensure the wireless industry can continue to build wireless networks that offer competitive consumer home broadband options, support cutting-edge innovation, and help the U.S. lead the world in wireless.”

Competitive Carriers Association (CCA)

“CCA welcomes renewed Congressional focus on reinstating auction authority and identifying additional bands for full-power commercial use,” said CCA President and CEO Tim Donovan. “To meet the nation’s insatiable demand for wireless connectivity, all carriers must have meaningful opportunities to access licensed spectrum. CCA is pleased that the Spectrum Pipeline Act focuses on making full-power commercial spectrum available, which is imperative as carriers deploy 5G and prepare for 6G services, as well as modernizing the Spectrum Relocation Fund to consider new incentives to improve Federal spectrum use.”

Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA)

“More commercial spectrum means improved mobile service, increased broadband competition, and a stronger US economy,” said WIA President and CEO Patrick Halley. “It has been a year since the FCC’s auction authority expired, and we urgently need to make more spectrum available for commercial use. I applaud Senators Cruz and Thune for introducing the Spectrum Pipeline Act which would restore the FCC’s auction authority and identify a robust pipeline of new spectrum that will enhance US wireless leadership.”

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association

“NATE applauds Senators Cruz and Thune for introducing the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024 this morning in the U.S. Senate. The legislation is both timely and critical as it serves to renew the FCC’s spectrum auction authority and expands commercial access to mid-band spectrum that is necessary to unleash the potential of next generation wireless networks to the American economy,” said NATE President & CEO Todd Schlekeway. “Additionally, more access to commercial spectrum means more deployment opportunities for NATE member contractors who turn these valuable airwaves into connectivity. NATE urges swift, bipartisan support for this important legislation so it can become law in an expedient manner.”

USTelecom

“In its call for immediate action to restore the FCC’s authority to conduct spectrum auctions and bring a sense of urgency to ensure a sustainable spectrum pipeline, Senators Cruz and Thune’s legislation is an important step forward towards securing the nation’s connectivity leadership,” said USTelecom President & CEO Jonathan Spalter. “The broadband industry looks forward to working with them and all stakeholders, in Congress, and the Administration to achieve the important goals of this bill.”

The American Consumer Institute (ACI)

“ACI commends Senators Cruz and Thune for proposing this important piece of legislation. We strongly believe that reauthorizing the FCC’s auctioning authority and developing a robust spectrum pipeline are both urgent priorities. We humbly ask that Congress consider supporting the Spectrum Pipeline Act as an important first step toward securing America’s wireless future.”

Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)

“This bill is an important step toward more productive spectrum use. A legislative mandate to free up federal bands breaks the gridlock that has recently plagued U.S. spectrum policy.

“The bill helpfully mandates sufficient power levels to support future wireless applications without dictating the choice between exclusive or shared licenses, so the FCC and NTIA can work to determine the most productive arrangement.

“ITIF has also long supported reforms to the Spectrum Relocation Fund to free up more spectrum by allowing federal agencies to upgrade their systems. This bill takes a step toward that goal by increasing the scope of costs SRF funds will cover.”

Free State Foundation

“While the Free State Foundation doesn’t support or oppose specific legislation, I applaud Senators Cruz and Thune for introducing their spectrum bill,” said Free State Foundation President Randolph May. “It has important features that, if adopted, will help ensure the United States does not lose its leadership position in wireless, especially in 5G. Today, spectrum is a key part of the nation’s broadband infrastructure — just like cables and wires. The Cruz-Thune bill would reestablish the FCC’s lapsed auction authority, and it would require that a considerable amount of mid-band spectrum be reallocated for commercial use and be made available by specific dates. The pipeline established would include a much-needed supply of licensed spectrum, while not ignoring the need for more unlicensed spectrum, which also is an increasingly important part of the broadband infrastructure.

“No doubt there may be different views regarding the specific dates and amounts identified for reallocation contained in the bill. But there should be widespread agreement that it provides a good basis for moving forward promptly to develop a bipartisan, bicameral plan to address the nation’s now-lagging spectrum efforts."  

AT&T

“We applaud Senator Cruz and his colleagues for recognizing the importance of making more full-power, mid-band spectrum available to wireless customers,” said Mike Ferguson, AT&T Executive Vice President of Federal Legislative Relations. “Importantly, this bill allocates 1250 megahertz of licensed spectrum for mobile broadband services – a much-needed influx of this crucial resource that is necessary to meet America’s insatiable demand for wireless connectivity. We’re eager to continue working with lawmakers in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle — as well as the administration — to increase access to spectrum and advance U.S. economic competitiveness and security.”

T-Mobile

“T-Mobile applauds Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. John Thune for introducing The Spectrum Pipeline Act, making a large bulk of spectrum available for commercial use. This will ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in 5G and will strengthen our economic security.”

Verizon

“Verizon applauds Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) for introducing the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024,” said Robert Fisher, Verizon Senior Vice President, Federal Government Relations and Public Affairs. “Our own Consumer Connections Report found that mobile traffic has skyrocketed by 129% in the last five years. A spectrum pipeline is needed to meet consumers' growing demand for bandwidth and fuel a better-connected future. This bill is a vital step toward ensuring U.S. global competitiveness, bringing consumer choice to the home broadband marketplace, and delivering on the promise to close the digital divide. We stand ready to work with Congress and the Administration to modernize our spectrum posture and advance U.S. wireless leadership.”

To read more about the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024, click here.

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