House Lawmakers Up Pressure on 1675-1680 MHz
Congressional Spectrum Caucus co-chairs want NTIA and the FCC to help unlock spectrum in the 1675-1680 MHz band, they told NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in a letter dated Wednesday. “We understand there are applications before…
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the Commission requesting that the FCC move forward in reallocating and auctioning the 1675-1680 MHz band on a shared basis with [the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] while protecting NOAA operations,” said the lawmakers, saying they “strongly encourage the Commission and NTIA to move forward expeditiously to commercialize the 1675-1680 MHz band of spectrum.” Co-chairs Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., and Doris Matsui, D-Calif., led the letter, also signed by 15 other House members. The White House FY 2017 budget request mentioned commercializing this spectrum (see 1602090067). “While I appreciate the progress already made by the FCC and NTIA to make more federal spectrum available, I am hopeful that they will prioritize opening up the 1675-1680 MHz band, especially given the widespread support that exists for this project,” Guthrie said. Matsui agreed: “The 1675-1680 MHz spectrum band is a prime example of an opportunity that can benefit our American wireless economy while allowing federal agencies to continue their critical mission.”