Austin, Texas, March 7, 2016 – Wi-Fi Alliance commends the Senate Commerce Committee on its approval of the MOBILE NOW Act. The approval represents the broad consensus on the economic and social benefits of unlicensed spectrum and the critical role unlicensed spectrum plays in driving innovation. The amended bill directs the FCC and NTIA to develop a national plan for making adequate unlicensed spectrum available to meet growing consumer demand, and it requires the allocation of 100 MHz of spectrum for unlicensed use.
Continued reliance on unlicensed technologies as economic drivers means that additional unlicensed spectrum is necessary to meet the Nation’s growing wireless demands. Wi-Fi is a shining example of how unlicensed spectrum improves people’s lives every day – carrying a majority of Internet traffic, making connectivity affordable for more citizens, and even playing an integral role in carrier networks. Additional unlicensed spectrum will help enable the groundbreaking innovations of the future.
“Wi-Fi Alliance recognizes the MOBILE NOW Act as an important step in ensuring adequate spectrum allocation for unlicensed use to meet growing demand,” said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. “We support all efforts to ensure unlicensed spectrum remains a central piece of a National spectrum strategy.”
Wi-Fi Alliance would like to recognize the leadership of Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Nelson (D-FL) in developing this legislation and building consensus on initiatives to reduce obstacles to wireless innovation. We also recognize Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Schatz (D-HI) and Senators Booker (D-NJ), Gardner (R-CO), and for their roles in enhancing the MOBILE NOW Act by advocating for policies that maximize the benefits of unlicensed spectrum.
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