A group of lawmakers introduced a new bill, Wi-Fi Innovation Act, to drive the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand consumer access to unlicensed wireless networks.
The bill would direct the FCC to test the viability of spectrum sharing of the 5 GHz band without interfering with current users. The 5 GHz band is presently occupied by federal and commercial groups who are researching advanced transportation communications systems. The FCC approved an order in March 2013 to open 100 MHz of spectrum in the 5.1 GHz band for high-powered, outdoor Wi-Fi equipment, and has proposed rules for making some of the unlicensed spectrum available. The Wi-Fi Innovation Act (H.R. 5125) was co-sponsored by representatives Darrell Issa, Doris Matsui, and Anna Eshoo. It also builds upon early legislation (S.2505) that was introduced to Senate in June by Senators Marco Rubio and Cory Booker.
