TIA Says Spectrum Challenge Prize Act Encourages Cutting-Edge and Innovative Ideas in Spectrum Technology

Applauds House Energy and Commerce Committee Passage of Nine Telecommunications Bills

Arlington, Va. (April 28, 2016) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today applauded the House Energy and Commerce Committee for advancing nine telecommunications bills related to spectrum innovation and public safety, including H.R. 4190, the Spectrum Challenge Prize Act. 

“This forward-thinking legislation will help encourage entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers towards achieving significant breakthroughs in spectrum technology,” said TIA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs James Reid. “Demand for mobile broadband continues to grow at a very fast rate, and policymakers must continue moving aggressively to avoid a “spectrum crunch.”  While significant steps have been taken in recent years to make more spectrum available, it is ultimately a limited resource that must be used more efficiently to keep up with demand.”

Spectrum-sharing approaches are increasingly being advanced in the marketplace, even as more traditional research and development efforts remain necessary to achieve transformational advances in spectrum efficiency.

Reid continued, “In recent years, prize competitions like the X Prize for private spaceflight and the L Prize for high-quality efficient lighting have served as useful catalysts for meaningful change. TIA believes that the “S Prizes” that may emerge from this legislation could have a similar catalytic effect on the research and development ecosystem for innovative spectrum technologies. We applaud the House Energy and Commerce Committee for their support on the Spectrum Challenge Prize Act and urge Congress to advance this legislation swiftly.”