Senate Communications Sets Hearing on Auction Renewal, Other Spectrum Issues

The Senate Communications Subcommittee plans a Tuesday hearing on renewing the FCC’s spectrum auction authority and related legislative issues, as expected (see 2207180067). The House is expected to vote as soon as Wednesday night on the Spectrum Innovation Act legislative package (HR-7624) to extend the FCC's authority past its current Sept. 30 expiration date. The measure's backers argued on its behalf Tuesday (see 2207260063). Witnesses set to testify Tuesday include Public Knowledge CEO Chris Lewis, who opposes HR-7624’s proposal to extend the FCC’s remit by 18 months, to March 31, 2024, and CTIA President Meredith Baker, whose group backs a short-term renewal. The upcoming renewal deadline means “Congress has a unique opportunity to set future spectrum priorities and coordination goals to encourage efficient spectrum use,” the Senate Commerce Committee said: “Past disputes” between the FCC and other federal agencies on spectrum issues (see 2010260001) “have demonstrated the importance of strong leadership at” the commission and NTIA “to ensure coordinated agency management of this important resource. This coordination will become even more important as developing technologies lead to better spectrum sharing in the future.” Also on the witness list: Brattle Group principal Coleman Bazelon and GAO Director-Physical infrastructure Andrew Von Ah. The hearing will begin at 2:30 p.m. in 253 Russell.