WASHINGTON-The House Commerce Committee today approved legislation creating a fund to reimburse the Pentagon and other federal agencies relocated to other frequency bands in order to free up spectrum for third-generation mobile-phone systems.
The bipartisan measure, unanimously approved by voice vote, includes amendments bolstering oversight of the funding mechanism and allowing the Federal Communications Commission to designate spectrum obtained from the federal government for unlicensed technologies, like Wi-Fi.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), chairman of the House telecommunications and Internet subcommittee and lead sponsor of the bill, said he will hold a hearing later this spring on spectrum needs of first responders and amateur radio operators.
A companion bill penned by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) is expected to be marked up by the panel soon.
