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Bill > S4750


US S4750

US S4750
Internet Development for Tribes Act of 2020


summary

Introduced
09/29/2020
In Committee
09/29/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

116th Congress

Bill Summary

Establishes requirements to assist tribal entities with access to spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band. Specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may not (1) impose a build-out or performance requirement on certain tribal entities that hold licenses for spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band, or (2) cancel or terminate a license if the licensee fails to meet any construction or performance benchmark. The FCC must, upon request, provide technical assistance and guidance on the most effective use of the 2.5 GHz band for wireless and broadband services. Further, the FCC must award grants to these license holders for technical assistance and acquisition of appropriate equipment and services related to the use of the 2.5 GHz band, respectively. The Government Accountability Office must determine whether the federal government possesses surplus equipment that can be used to access the 2.5 GHz band. If surplus equipment is found, each federal agency possessing surplus must transfer it to the FCC for distribution to tribal license holders to aid in their deployment of broadband service.

AI Summary

This bill establishes requirements to assist tribal entities with access to spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band. It prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from imposing build-out or performance requirements on tribal entities that hold licenses for this spectrum or cancelling/terminating such licenses if the licensee fails to meet construction or performance benchmarks. The bill requires the FCC to provide technical assistance and guidance to these licensees on the effective use of the 2.5 GHz band for wireless and broadband services. It also directs the FCC to award grants to these licensees for technical assistance and acquisition of equipment and services related to using the 2.5 GHz band. Finally, the bill requires a Government Accountability Office report on whether the federal government has surplus equipment that can be used to access the 2.5 GHz band, and if so, for such equipment to be transferred to the FCC for distribution to the tribal licensees.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (on 09/29/2020)

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