As expected, House Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R- Mich.) in...
As expected, House Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R- Mich.) introduced legislation to create a spectrum reallocation trust fund. His proposed Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act (HR-1320) would create a fund for agencies that relocated spectrum options to a different band…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
or switch to non-spectrum-dependent facilities to transmit telecommunications. The trust fund would be created from spectrum auctions that must total at least 110% of the total estimated relocation expenses, Upton said: “There is a tremendous need for this bill. We must relocate federal government incumbents to comparable spectrum in order to make way for the commercial wireless industry, but the road to relocating government entities to comparable spectrum is unpaved and filled with potholes.” He said. “This legislation would pave that road, establishing procedures to ensure a timely, certain, and privately -- yet fully -- funded relocation of federal incumbent to comparable spectrum.” The Bush Administration included the trust fund in its FY 2004 budget and Upton introduced similar legislation late last year. Co-sponsors include Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.), Reps. Towns (D-N.Y.), Boucher (D-Va.), Terry (R-Neb.), Green (D-Tex.). Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. McCain (R-Ariz.) has said he will introduce comparable legislation in the Senate.