Doyle, Lance File Airwaves Act House Companion

House Communications Subcommittee Vice Chairman Leonard Lance, R-N.J., and ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., filed the House version of the Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum (Airwaves) Act Wednesday. Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., filed the Senate version (S-1682) in August (see 1708010069). The legislation aims to identify spectrum for unlicensed use and free up mid-band spectrum for wireless industry purchase via a future FCC auction. The Airwaves Act “is the kind of bill that will make a difference in the lives of Internet users,” Lance said in a news release: “By opening up more federal spectrum for commercial usage we are helping lay the groundwork for 5G.” It “would establish a reliable pipeline for licensed and unlicensed spectrum,” Doyle said in the news release. “The pipeline will provide spectrum for robust and competitive deployments of 5G wireless broadband networks, which will build on the success of Wi-Fi by making additional, much needed, unlicensed spectrum available.” The legislation “demonstrates that Congress supports -- on a bipartisan, bicameral basis -- firm spectrum deadlines and auctions for key bands,” said FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly. Many industry entities lauded the Airwaves Act's House debut, including the Competitive Carriers Association, CTIA, Mobile Future, Public Knowledge, WifiForward and Verizon.