Hearing of the Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee - Opening Statement of Sen. Thune, Hearing on Exploring the Value of Spectrum to the U.S. Economy

Hearing

Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Schatz, thank you for putting together such an excellent panel.

The work you do--connecting people across the country, from remote rural areas to cities, to each other and the world, providing education, entertainment, and public safety services--contributes greatly to the economy and to the quality of life of every American. You all drive the innovation and investment that have made the United States the leader in advanced wireless technology.

Our job in Congress includes making sure that, consistent with our national security and public welfare obligations, the market has access to spectrum and that industry is not unduly burdened when getting this spectrum into service.

Senator Nelson and I, along with the other members of this Committee, made a down payment on that obligation with our MOBILE NOW Act. This bill would make available 255 MHz of prime spectrum, both licensed and unlicensed, in the next three years. But that is just the beginning. To meet America's demand for mobile broadband, it is estimated that the wireless industry will need more than 350 MHz of new licensed spectrum by 2019. The MOBILE NOW Act would direct the Federal Communications Commission and National Telecommunications and Information Administration to study the potential for commercial service in a number of additional spectrum bands.

But having access to spectrum is only part of the challenge. It can take years and tremendous investment to deploy new wireless services. MOBILE NOW would streamline the process of applying for easements, rights of way, and leases for federally-managed property, and establish a shot clock for review of those applications. MOBILE NOW would also establish a National Broadband Facilities Asset Database listing Federal property that could be used by private entities for the purpose of building or operating communications facilities.

I look forward to seeing the Senate pass MOBILE NOW in the coming weeks, but I am also focused on working with my colleagues to make the next payment toward America's wireless leadership.

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