Austin, Texas, November 13, 2015 – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Promoting Unlicensed Spectrum Act this week, promoting the availability of additional unlicensed spectrum, requesting for the development of a national unlicensed strategy, and calling for balance between radio frequency bands made available for licensed and unlicensed use in future spectrum allocation and assignment actions. More information about the proposed legislation can be found here.
Wi-Fi Alliance supports this bill and commends Senator Schatz for his recognition of the role of unlicensed spectrum in fostering innovation and driving economic value.
Wi-Fi is a shining example of the value unlicensed spectrum brings to billions of users around the world. Recent research on behalf of Wi-Fi Alliance further demonstrates Wi-Fi’s integral role in users’ lives, with 72 percent of respondents saying their work productivity would be significantly impacted and nearly half saying their productivity at home would be impacted if they did not have access to Wi-Fi. Balanced spectrum allocation and assignment will enable Wi-Fi to continue to be central to users’ daily lives.
In addition to the direct benefits to users, unlicensed spectrum offers untold benefits to the economy. Unlicensed spectrum contributed $222 Billion in economic value in 2013. Wi-Fi Alliance is encouraged by the Promoting Unlicensed Spectrum Act as a step toward growing valuable unlicensed spectrum resources, and enabling billions of business, education, enterprise, and government users to continue to benefit from Wi-Fi innovation for years to come.
Methodological note: The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Wi-Fi Alliance between October 5-7, 2015. Harris Poll and Wi-Fi Alliance surveyed 2,032 adults ages 18+.
About Wi-Fi Alliance®
www.wi-fi.org
Wi-Fi Alliance® is a global non-profit industry association – our members are the worldwide network of companies that brings you Wi-Fi®. The members of our collaboration forum come from across the Wi-Fi ecosystem and share a common vision of connecting everyone and everything, everywhere. Since 2000, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ seal of approval designates products with proven interoperability, industry-standard security protections, and the latest technology. Wi-Fi Alliance has certified more than 25,000 products, delivering the best user experience and encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services in new and established markets. Today, billions of Wi-Fi products carry a significant portion of the world’s data traffic in an ever-expanding variety of applications.
Media contacts:
Elliott Suthers
Highwire PR for Wi-Fi Alliance
wi-fi@highwirepr.com
+1-415-963-4174 ext. 6