Press Releases

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) introduced the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2025. This legislation extends the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) spectrum auction authority and seeks to ensure the efficient allocation of mid-band spectrum, a resource critical for the advancement of 5G and next-generation technologies. Upon introducing the bill, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

"Wireless communications technology is a cornerstone of our strategic competition with China. If we hope to maintain our leadership and innovative edge on the world stage, we must continue to adapt and advance policies that expand commercial access to mid-band spectrum. As spectrum becomes more and more vital for the wireless services and devices we use today, this legislation is a tremendous return on investment for American taxpayers. I am proud to lead this much-needed effort to advance economic growth, promote wireless innovation, and protect our national security interests."

BACKGROUND: The Spectrum Pipeline Act was originally introduced in the 118th Congress by Senators John Thune and Ted Cruz. Specifically, the bill:

• Identifies spectrum;
• Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to identify at least 2,500 megahertz of mid-band spectrum that can be reallocated from Federal use to non-Federal or shared use in the next 5 years (including at least 1,250 megahertz in the next 2 years);
• Renews the FCC’s auction authority;
• Renews the FCC’s auction authority, which expired in March 2023, and requires the FCC to auction at least 1,250 megahertz of spectrum for full-power commercial wireless services, including 5G, within 6 years (including at least 600 megahertz within 3 years);
• Promotes unlicensed innovation;
• Expands the United States’ leading role in unlicensed innovation by requiring the FCC to allocate at least 125 megahertz of additional spectrum for unlicensed services;
• Ensures remaining spectrum can be licensed or unlicensed;
• Provides further opportunity for technology-neutral innovation in the remaining 1,125 megahertz of remaining spectrum identified by NTIA for commercial services;
• Creates new reporting requirements; and
• Ensures effective oversight by requiring the FCC and NTIA to submit to Congress annual progress reports as well as reports within 60 days of each identification made by NTIA;
• Upgrades federal systems.
• Removes a limitation in current law to allow federal agencies to purchase new state-of-the-art equipment using spectrum auction proceeds.

Congressman Allen, Vice Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, also participated in a hearing today on strengthening American leadership in wireless technology where he highlighted the Spectrum Pipeline Act during his line of questioning. To watch his full remarks, click here.