Statement from Michael Calabrese on the AIRWAVES Act

Today, Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum, or “AIRWAVES,” Act.

The following quote can be attributed to Michael Calabrese, director of New America's Wireless Future Program

“Senators Gardner and Hassan deserve credit for proposing an ambitious spectrum pipeline bill that recognizes America’s wireless future will require opening access to substantially more unlicensed, licensed and shared spectrum. We particularly agree that gigabit-fast and affordable Wi-Fi can be enhanced if the FCC expands unlicensed sharing up above 5 GHz and across the entire 6 GHz band.

“At the same time, we look forward to working with the senators to improve the bill’s potential impact on the rural broadband gap. There is an immediate opportunity to share 500 megahertz of underutilized satellite spectrum above 3.7 GHz for more affordable rural and small town broadband that will be lost if the sole focus is raising one-time auction revenue that requires clearing satellite incumbents off the band and takes a decade to implement.”