5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan bill will grant the FCC temporary authority to issue over 7,500 licenses that have been stalled while the spectrum auction authority has lapsed. To address this issue, I am proud to be the sponsor of the 5G SALE Act, which was unanimously reported out of committee.

It has now been more than a year since Auction 108 was conducted by the FCC for these 2.5 gigahertz band licenses. During the auction, more than $400 million was raised by 63 bidders. Releasing these licenses will mean greater competition among providers and money funneled into our economy.

The 5G SALE Act would cut through bureaucratic red tape and help get more Americans connected to high-speed coverage than ever before. Especially in rural areas, where I represent, in Pennsylvania's south central and southwestern area, coverage can be scarce. Congress must work to ensure that students, patients, workers, and farmers all have access to 5G internet.

In places where seeing a medical specialist can mean a 2-hour drive, access to reliable 5G connection can be life-changing for a patient. These connections are invaluable also for our farmers, as they use precision farming to plant crops and harvest.

Access to the internet is vital for our students as they work to do their homework--their homework at home, not in the parking lot outside of a convenience store.

Recently, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology heard from Chair Rosenworcel that the FCC would devote the necessary resources and time to ensure that these licenses would be issued as quickly as possible once this legislation is enacted.

I am grateful for all the work that went into advancing this commonsense legislation to help connect more Americans than ever before.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

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