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CCA Members Urge Congress to Extend the FCC’s Spectrum Auction Authority

March 16, 2022

Washington, DC - Today, in letters to leadership of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, twenty carriers and members of Competitive Carriers Association (“CCA”) urged Congress to extend the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) spectrum auction authority. Letter signatories emphasized the important role that FCC spectrum auction authority has in wireless growth and success and ensuring the U.S. continues to lead the world in the development of next generation wireless networks and applications.


“Competitive carriers must have access to valuable spectrum resources to provide robust wireless connectivity to their consumers and to expand next-generation 5G services,” said CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry. “The very fact that twenty carriers and members of CCA came together on these letters clearly indicates that access to spectrum is a critical issue for the entire wireless ecosystem.”


“The FCC has successfully used spectrum auctions to support competition and widely disseminate licenses through a variety of means, including smaller license sizes, which are very important for smaller carriers. If FCC spectrum authority is allowed to expire, we run the risk of harming smaller carriers and carriers serving rural America, which would negatively impact consumers. Competitive carriers not only must have a meaningful opportunity to participate in upcoming auctions, but they also must have the assurance that purchased spectrum will be available for use as soon as possible. With the 2.5 GHz auction set to begin in July, there is an immediate need for action on this issue, and I strongly urge Congress to extend the FCC’s auction authority.”


About CCA

CCA is the nation’s leading association for competitive wireless providers and stakeholders across the United States. Members range from small, rural carriers serving fewer than 5,000 customers to regional and nationwide providers serving millions of customers, as well as vendors and suppliers that provide products and services throughout the wireless communications ecosystem. Visit www.ccamobile.org.


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