CCA Supports Congressional Efforts to Make Cleared Spectrum Available
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lucy Tutwiler
September 13, 2012 (202) 449-9866
CCA Supports Congressional Efforts to Make Cleared Spectrum Available
Policymakers must adopt a framework that supports competition
Washington, DC – Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing on “Creating Opportunities through Improved Government Spectrum Efficiency.” The Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) commends the Subcommittee for their leadership on spectrum policy and supports all efforts to clear and make available usable spectrum to foster competition and innovation in the mobile broadband industry. CCA urges the Committee to work to restore interoperability, emphasize clearing and reallocating spectrum for commercial use and focus on efficiently using spectrum already available within mobile broadband ecosystems.
In a statement, CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “I thank the Subcommittee for holding the hearing and for its work to free spectrum for mobile broadband services. I also thank CCA members T-Mobile and Ericsson for testifying on this important subject. Competitive carriers require access to additional, useable spectrum to compete and survive, and policymakers’ work to ensure competitive carriers have access to useable spectrum in LTE ecosystems is of the utmost importance. I urge Congress to work to restore interoperability to ensure full and efficient use by both commercial and federal users which will promote certainty in the industry, generate higher revenues at auctions, promote economic growth and create jobs.”
Berry continued, “In addition to interoperability, clearing and reallocating spectrum from federal to mobile broadband use will also spur investment and benefit the economy. Our members want to compete but are prevented from doing so due to the balkanization of the 700 MHz spectrum. I urge Congress to support a policy framework that supports competition to efficiently use and maximize the value of finite, tax-payer owned spectrum resources, and I look forward to our continued work with the Congress and the FCC on this important issue.”
About CCA
CCA is the nation’s leading association for competitive wireless providers and stakeholders across the United States. The licensed service area of CCA’s more than 100 members covers 95 percent of the nation. Visit www.competitivecarriers.org.
