Pallone Introduces Legislation to Improve FCC Policies for Small Businesses

Press Release

Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the Small Business Access to Spectrum Act. The bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update its rules that facilitate small business participation in spectrum auctions.

"Small businesses are vital to our economy. New Jersey alone is home to over 800,000 small businesses, which are responsible for half of the jobs in the state. Without smart policies, these small businesses simply cannot survive in capital-intensive industries such as telecommunications," said Congressman Pallone. "It's time for the FCC to update its rules to give small businesses a fair shot at getting access to the nation's airwaves."

Congress charges the FCC with developing rules for spectrum auctions that help small businesses and encourage competition. These competitive bidding rules were last comprehensively updated in 2006 and have not kept pace with the wireless marketplace. Next year, the FCC is planning to hold the world's first incentive auction for "beachfront" broadcast spectrum that is most useful for wireless broadband. The Small Business Access to Spectrum Act would ensure the FCC's competitive bidding rules are updated in time for real small businesses to have a chance to participate in the incentive auction.

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