Spectrum Pipeline Act Is a Step Toward More Productive Spectrum Use, Says ITIF

WASHINGTON—Following the introduction of the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024 in the U.S. Senate, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, released the following statement from Joe Kane, ITIF’s director of broadband and spectrum policy:

This bill is an important step toward more productive spectrum use. A legislative mandate to free up federal bands breaks the gridlock that has recently plagued U.S. spectrum policy.

The bill helpfully mandates sufficient power levels to support future wireless applications without dictating the choice between exclusive or shared licenses, so the FCC and NTIA can work to determine the most productive arrangement.

ITIF has also long supported reforms to the Spectrum Relocation Fund to free up more spectrum by allowing federal agencies to upgrade their systems. This bill takes a step toward that goal by increasing the scope of costs SRF funds will cover.

For more on this issue, see:

• Joe Kane, “Sharing Without Daring: Dynamic Spectrum Sharing With Certainty of Access” (ITIF, February 26, 2024).
• Joe Kane, Garett Shrode, Jessica Dine and Robert Puentes, “Filling Gaps in US Spectrum Allocation: Reforms for Collaborative Management” (ITIF & the Eno Center for Transportation, February 27, 2023).
• Joe Kane, “Five Principles for Spectrum Policy: A Primer for Policymakers” (ITIF, September 6, 2022).