Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - Auctions

https://benton.org/blog/new-national-spectrum-strategy

A New National Spectrum Strategy

Robbie McBeath — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 16:57:29 +0000

On October 25, 2018, President Donald Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering federal agencies to review their existing spectrum usage, forecast future demands, and prepare a plan for research and development that will enable better use of spectrum in the future.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy framed the announcement as a plan to devise a strategy to speed up the private sector’s deployment of 5G wireless networks. “To lead in 5G and reap the benefits of better and faster wireless connections, we must have a forward-looking, strategic spectrum policy,” wrote Michael Kratsios, Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer. “The steps outlined in this Presidential Memo make it clear that America intends to remain the world leader in next-generation wireless networks.”

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Benton Original Content

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Robbie McBeath

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Mon, 10/29/2018

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Daily Digest 10/26/2018

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Fri, 10/26/2018

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https://www.daines.senate.gov/2024/03/22/daines-wicker-lummis-introduce-bill-to-…

Sen Daines Introduces Bill to Prevent Loss of Cell Service in Many of Montana’s Rural Communities

zwalker@benton.org — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 17:18:54 +0000

Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) led his colleagues in introducing the “Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act” to fully fund the “Rip and Replace” program to remove Chinese components from US wireless communications systems. Without full funding, wireless and broadband providers across the United States will be saddled with billions of dollars in costs that could result in service blackouts and companies closing down, including many in eastern Montana. The Rip and Replace program was created in 2020 to remove Chinese components from our wireless communications systems. The “Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act” fully funds the Rip and Replace program by requiring the Federal Communications Commission to re-auction certain spectrum licenses that were recently returned to the FCC.

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The “Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act” requires the FCC to re-auction certain spectrum licenses.

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US Senate

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Wed, 03/27/2024

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Daily Digest 3/26/2024

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Tue, 03/26/2024

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Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare

https://publicknowledge.org/policy/public-interest-spectrum-hearing-acp-letter/

Public Interest Groups Urge Congress To Renew FCC Auction Authority, Fund ACP

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 21:47:59 +0000

On March 21, Public Knowledge joined 24 other public interest and consumer advocacy groups in a letter to congressional leaders about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The groups urged Congress to renew the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) spectrum auction authority and use some of the projected revenue to help fund the ACP. "Congress has a unique opportunity to advance our national spectrum goals while simultaneously generating sufficient revenue to support the connectivity needs of millions of Americans," said the letter. "We urge you to take swift action to protect these gains in connectivity by passing legislation to renew the FCC’s auction authority and fund the ACP." The groups also highlighted the financial benefits of the ACP, adding "Due to the interconnected nature of the internet, the ACP offers a host of direct and indirect social and economic benefits. Research analysis from the Benton Institute has shown that for every dollar of ACP subsidy, there are nearly two dollars in financial returns to those using the program, including gains in professional productivity and opportunities as well as time saved from access to online commerce."

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Consumer advocacy groups urge Congress to renew the FCC’s spectrum auction authority to help fund the ACP

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Public Knowledge

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Fri, 03/22/2024

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Daily Digest 3/21/2024

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Thu, 03/21/2024

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Letter

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Digital Equity/Digital Inclusion

Digital Divide

Federal Broadband Programs

Affordable Connectivity Program (was Emergency Broadband Benefit Program)

Internet/Broadband

Affordability/Cost/Price

Universal Broadband

Legislation

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

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Federal

Marginalized Populations

Low-income

Spectrum

Auctions

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Benton Foundation

National Spectrum Strategy Implementation Plan

zwalker@benton.org — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 21:48:16 +0000

The National Spectrum Strategy released November 13, 2023, charts a course for sustained US leadership in advanced wireless technologies and services. The radio spectrum provides numerous forms of connectivity to the American public, from the voice and data communications that fuel smartphones to critical government services that depend on spectrum access, and it therefore serves as a key foundation for the digital infrastructure on which the modern American economy runs. The Implementation Plan provides a public roadmap for this effort. For each strategic objective, the Plan identifies specific outcomes, with responsible Federal agencies, contributing stakeholders, and a timeline for both the beginning and the expected completion of the effort. The Implementation Plan is organized around the twelve strategic objectives of the National Spectrum Strategy, which are organized into the following four pillars:

A Spectrum Pipeline to Ensure US Leadership in Advanced and Emerging Technologies
Collaborative Long-Term Planning to Support the Nation’s Evolving Spectrum Needs
Unprecedented Spectrum Access and Management through Technology Development
Expanded Spectrum Expertise and Elevated National Awareness

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https://www.ntia.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national-spectrum-strategy…

https://www.ntia.gov/report/2024/national-spectrum-strategy-implementation-plan

https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2024/ntia-unveils-next-steps-national-spectru…

Teaser:

This plan provides a public roadmap for the implementation of the National Spectrum Strategy

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

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Wed, 03/13/2024

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Daily Digest 3/12/2024

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Research

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

https://www.lightreading.com/5g/5g-spectrum-debate-heats-up-ahead-of-biden-s-imp…

Wireless Internet

5G spectrum debate heats up ahead of Biden's implementation plan

zwalker@benton.org — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:21:51 +0000

Spectrum is a hot topic in Washington these days, as lawmakers, lobbyists, regulators and others look for advantage ahead of the release of an implementation plan for the Biden administration's national spectrum strategy. The latest: A new bill from two top Republican Senators would require the government to reallocate at least 600MHz of midband spectrum for commercial use within three years. Sens Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Thune (R-SD), introduced the new "Spectrum Pipeline" bill, which would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to identify at least 2,500MHz of spectrum between 1.3GHz and 13.2GHz to be reallocated from federal government use to non-governmental or shared use over the next five years. Hovering over the new legislation is an ongoing debate over spectrum in the lower 3GHz band. The Department of Defense (DoD) currently uses the lower 3GHz spectrum band to operate its radars, satellites, navigation equipment and more. But the 5G industry has been trying for years to convince the White House to reallocate some or all of that band for cellular operations.

Benton Content:

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New legislation will have to fight through a political minefield populated by Pentagon, cable and wireless representatives

Source:

Light Reading

Author:

Mike Dano

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Tue, 03/12/2024

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Daily Digest 3/11/2024

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Mon, 03/11/2024

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Reporting

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2024/3/sens-cruz-and-thune-unveil-new-spectrum-p…

Wireless Internet

Sens Cruz and Thune Unveil New Spectrum Pipeline Legislation to Spur Job Growth, Economic Prosperity

zwalker@benton.org — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:08:31 +0000

Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Thune (R-SD) unveiled legislation to expand commercial access to mid-band spectrum. Ahead of the expiration of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) spectrum auction authority in March 2022, Sens. Cruz and Thune released a statement “committing to developing a spectrum proposal that achieves the greatest value possible for American taxpayers while protecting our national security interests.” Introduction of the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024 follows a year-long effort to develop legislation that accomplishes those goals. Specifically, the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024 will protect American taxpayers and prioritize national security by:

Identifying spectrum: Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to identify at least 2,500 megahertz of mid-band spectrum that can be reallocated from Federal use to non-Federal or shared use in the next 5 years (including at least 1,250 megahertz in the next 2 years);
Renewing the FCC’s auction authority: Renews the FCC’s auction authority, which expired in March 2023, and requires the FCC to auction at least 1,250 megahertz of spectrum for full-power commercial wireless services, including 5G, within 6 years (including at least 600 megahertz within 3 years);
Promoting unlicensed innovation: Expands the United States’ leading role in unlicensed innovation by requiring the FCC to allocate at least 125 megahertz of additional spectrum for unlicensed services
Ensuring remaining spectrum can be licensed or unlicensed: Provides further opportunity for technology-neutral innovation in the remaining 1,125 megahertz of remaining spectrum identified by NTIA for commercial services;
Creating new reporting requirements: Ensures effective oversight by requiring the FCC and NTIA to submit to Congress annual progress reports as well as reports within 60 days of each identification made by NTIA;
Upgrading federal system: Removes a limitation in current law to allow federal agencies to purchase new state-of-the-art equipment using spectrum auction proceeds.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

New legislation promotes wireless innovation while protecting national security interests

Source:

Senate Commerce Committee

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Tue, 03/12/2024

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Daily Digest 3/11/2024

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Highlights 1-year Expiration of Spectrum Auction Authority

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:36:27 +0000

For more than thirty years, the Federal Communications Commission’s authority to auction the nation’s airwaves proved to be an indispensable tool for harnessing the promise of new wireless technologies while also spurring economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening our national security and international leadership. However, in light of the reality the agency has faced for almost a year, we are now compelled to ask what we can do with our current unassigned spectrum in order to keep innovation moving ahead in a global market for wireless that is not slowing down. I remain hopeful that the FCC’s auction authority will be restored quickly so that this important program is once again able to produce results for consumers and the economy. The agency stands ready to work with lawmakers to ensure we don’t find ourselves in the same place next year.

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https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-chairwoman-highlights-1-year-expiration-spectru…

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Chairwoman Rosenworcel highlights one-year expiration of FCC's spectrum auction authority and potential creative solutions to maintain US leadership

Source:

Federal Communciations Commission

Author:

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

Send date:

Fri, 03/08/2024

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Daily Digest 3/7/2024

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Thu, 03/07/2024

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https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/from-big-cities-to-small-towns-and-places-…

T-Mobile is lighting up new 5G spectrum won in Auction 108

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:26:33 +0000

T-Mobile announced it’s adding new capacity to the country’s leading 5G network by activating the 2.5 GHz spectrum it won in auction 108, expanding its Ultra Capacity 5G coverage to new communities and significantly increasing Ultra Capacity 5G bandwidth in many places across the US. That means tens of millions of the Un-carrier’s 5G customers, primarily those in rural areas, will get an immediate performance boost when spectrum comes online. Wondering if you will get a taste of the added capacity? The answer is very likely a resounding yes. That’s because T-Mobile won licenses in nearly EVERY county across the US—so even if you aren’t one of the 80 million+ people living in an area with this new spectrum, there’s a good chance you’ll get a 5G boost where you travel, work or play. This is just one of the many ways T-Mobile’s industry-leading 5G network is getting bigger, faster and more powerful by the day.

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T-Mobile is lighting up massive amounts of new 5G spectrum won in Auction 108, covering nearly 60 million customers over nearly 300,000 square miles

Source:

T-Mobile

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Fri, 03/08/2024

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Daily Digest 3/7/2024

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Thu, 03/07/2024

Coverage Type:

Spectrum

Auctions