House Communications and Technology Subcommittee approves bill that push feds to relinquish airwaves

The House Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology signed off on legislation meant to expand access to mobile and broadband Internet. The Subcommittee approved a bill to coax federal agencies into giving up some of their wireless spectrum and a package of reforms aimed at making it easier to build the infrastructure that forms the backbone of Internet service. Members on both sides of the aisle praised the Federal Spectrum Incentive Act, which says that federal agencies that auction off their spectrum to the private sector can receive some of the proceeds from the sale.

Some say that wireless frequencies controlled by federal agencies, like the Department of Defense, could be better used by wireless carriers, who are trying to meet the demand for wireless data fueled by the adoption of smartphones. The bill’s supporters say it would make it easier for federal agencies to surrender some of their airwaves. Rep Doris Matsui (D-CA), the primary Democratic sponsor of the bill, called it a “critical next step” in efficiently allocating spectrum. “We know that the federal government is one of the largest users of spectrum and that spectrum is essential for many federal agencies’ missions,” she said. “Our bipartisan bill creates a new approach to spectrum management by offering incentives for federal users to relinquish or share spectrum.” The panel also approved draft legislation that would require federally funded highway projects to include laying broadband conduit. Also included in the package are measures to speed up the approval process for certain types of broadband infrastructure.