Lawmakers Reintroduce Wi-Fi Innovation Act in House and Senate

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in both chambers on Tuesday reintroduced the Wi-Fi Innovation Act (S-424), which would direct the FCC to investigate the possibilities of the upper 5 GHz band for unlicensed use. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., posted the 12-page bill text online. He introduced the bill with Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., although Rubio told us late last week he didn't expect to introduce this or any of his wireless legislation until March and is also hopeful for Commerce Committee hearings on such wireless issues (see 1502050025). “By requiring the FCC to conduct testing that would provide more spectrum to the public, we are ultimately putting the resource to better use and recognizing the future needs and important work being done in intelligent transportation,” Rubio said in a statement. The bill’s backers in the House are Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif.; Communications Subcommittee Vice Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio; and Reps. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Doris Matsui, D-Calif. It earned statements of approval from CEA, CTIA, PCIA, Public Knowledge and the Wi-Fi Alliance. These lawmakers introduced the bill last year but it never advanced.