TIA Applauds House-Senate Deal on FCC Reauthorization & MOBILE NOW

Arlington, VA (March 2, 2018) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today applauded the bipartisan and bicameral agreement to re-authorize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) via the RAY BAUM’s Act and to promote next-generation wireless technologies via the MOBILE NOW Act.

Cinnamon Rogers, TIA’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, issued the following statement:

“The global race to 5G is well underway, and the U.S. must ensure that its laws and regulations keep pace with rapid changes in technology. Today’s joint announcement from the House & Senate Commerce Committees to re-authorize the FCC via the RAY BAUM’s Act and to promote wireless technologies via the MOBILE NOW Act represents a significant milestone in advancing next generation networks. Today’s combined agreement would remove outdated FCC reporting requirements, fix the upfront payment issue for spectrum auctions, make additional spectrum available for both licensed and unlicensed use, and promote wireless facilities deployment, among other key provisions. TIA urges Congress to enact this agreement into law as quickly as possible, including through incorporation into the FY2018 omnibus appropriations bill.

“TIA is grateful for the work of House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, as well as Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson, for their dedicated work over months and years to make today’s bipartisan and bicameral agreement a reality.”