Spectrum is a limited national resource, and all of the spectrum bands in the U.S. have already been assigned for use. Yet the Big Three cellular giants are pressuring Congress for another sweetheart deal that would give them exclusive use of even more of America’s scarce spectrum – forcing out the federal agencies and national security systems currently using those bands.  The Pentagon estimates that relocating critical radar and missile defense systems from just one of the bands coveted by the Big Three would take 20 years and cost taxpayers at least $250 billion.

Congress should not pick winners and losers – or choose between economic growth and national security. Instead, U.S. spectrum policy should embrace spectrum sharing – an American innovation, led by American companies, that enables more spectrum to come to market more quickly and that lets consumers and businesses securely share wireless bands with critical defense systems.  Spectrum sharing lets a much larger set of providers compete for licenses to build out local 5G capacity and private 5G networks – boosting competition and putting more spectrum to work where consumers and businesses need it most.   It’s the efficient way to get more out of our scarce national spectrum resources – without jeopardizing our military edge or wasting hundreds of billions of dollars reengineering defense systems.

Protects National Security

Wireless spectrum is essential for U.S. military and national security systems including missile defense, border monitoring and security, battlefield communications, radars, navigation, and other advanced defense applications. Spectrum sharing allows more spectrum capacity for commercial needs without forcing the U.S. military and intelligence agencies to reengineer and replace its highly sensitive equipment. U.S. military leaders have embraced this America-first approach to spectrum allocation.

Creates Jobs and Grows the Economy

Shared spectrum is the best path for securing America’s economic edge, powering wireless competition, next-gen domestic manufacturing and improving rural connectivity. It helps grow the U.S. economy – creating more American jobs and powering the next-gen factories we need to compete on a global scale. While exclusive licensing could cost taxpayers hundreds of billions to relocate critical national security systems, sharing could generate nearly $19 billion in net revenue.

Fuels American Innovation

Shared, locally-licensed spectrum is a successful, proven path forward that bolsters U.S. innovation and enhances our global influence – playing to America’s strengths rather than into the hands of adversaries who want to undermine U.S. leadership and global security. A shared approach is fueling innovation at home across a host of industries – including manufacturing, education, healthcare, entertainment, agriculture, supply chain, smart factories, and among our armed forces.

Boosts Competition

What the Big Three cellular carriers don’t want you to know? Their grab for more exclusive spectrum would harm competition and negatively impact consumers. Spectrum sharing allows multiple users to leverage local spectrum where and when they need it. And this wider diversity of users increases competition in the marketplace – leading to lower costs, improved service quality in rural areas, more jobs, and greater innovation.