Dr. Joyce’s 5G SALE Act Passes House

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) announced that the 5G SALE Act passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously. The bill will now go to the White House for President Biden’s signature.

The 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement (5G SALE) Act would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release previously auctioned bands of the electromagnetic spectrum to expand access to 5G broadband to rural communities.

“Government red tape should never stand in the way of bringing high-speed internet to our rural communities,” said Congressman Joyce. “As we look to provide resources for remote work, remote learning, and telehealth care for patients, the 5G SALE Act will be a vital tool for deploying fast and reliable internet access. I’m proud to see this legislation pass unanimously and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”

Background:

The FCC sold approximately 8,000 licenses to grant internet providers access to America’s broadband spectrum. These licenses are the only way companies can legally use the radio waves that bring 5G internet to customers.

During the period between when providers paid for these licenses and when the FCC should have parceled the licenses out, there was a lapse in the FCC’s ability to authorize the use of these radio waves. Now, despite internet providers having fully purchased the frequencies necessary to deliver 5G internet, the FCC has stated they are unable to issue these licenses.

The 5G Sale Act grants the FCC a one-time, temporary authority to issue licenses purchased in auctions in order to speed the delivery of 5G technology to rural communities.