A bill to facilitate a national pipeline of spectrum for commercial use, and for other purposes.

United States115th CongressS-1682Senate
Updated: Aug 1, 2017

Summary

Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum Act or the AIRWAVES Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete auctions during each of the next three calendar years that will grant new broadcast licenses for specified frequency spectrum bands. The FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration are directed to identify frequencies in specified spectrum bands that may be utilized for: (1) non-federal unlicensed use; and (2) commercial licensed use. The FCC must allocate 10% of proceeds from each of the spectrum band auctions specified in the bill to expand wireless infrastructure in rural areas that are underserved or unserved. The FCC shall conduct a study on how unlicensed frequency spectrum bands can be utilized for: (1) the provision of healthcare in rural areas, (2) distance learning, and (3) facilitating innovations in agriculture.

Bill texts

Available versions
Introduced (Senate)View official text

1 version available

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Timeline

Latest companion bill action

HR-4953: To facilitate a national pipeline of spectrum for commercial use, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Senate

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