Washington, DC – Today, a bipartisan group of 42 Members of Congress, led by Reps. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R–CA), released a letter to Conferees on the Payroll Tax Cut Conference Committee urging them to protect public access to unlicensed spectrum. As Congress considers legislation to make more spectrum available for wireless broadband, it's essential that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the flexibility to make some of the prime "beachfront" spectrum located in the television band available for new and innovative unlicensed services.

It's estimated that unlicensed spectrum generates between $16-37 billion each year for the U.S. economy. As a result, it's absolutely essential that the U.S. not close the door on this exciting area of innovation which can help enhance rural broadband coverage, reduce energy costs and pave the way for new technologies that have yet to be invented. In the letter, the Members state that smart spectrum policy "must recognize that both licensed and unlicensed spectrum in the television band maximizes the economic benefits of wireless broadband. With a balanced approach to spectrum policy, we can unlock billions of dollars in private investment, new innovations, job creation, and economic growth."

Rep. Eshoo serves as the Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Rep. Issa serves as the Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The letter , signed by 42 Members, is below:

February 9, 2012

Dear Chairman Camp and Chairman Baucus:

We are writing regarding the possible inclusion of spectrum policy in the extension of the payroll tax legislation. Smart spectrum policy will drive the next generation of wireless broadband, creating new economic opportunities for the telecommunications and technology ecosystem. These provisions will have a dramatic impact on our nation's wireless future and benefit many stakeholders, including public safety, small businesses, educators, and consumers. While there are many important spectrum policy goals, today we're writing to urge you to preserve the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) flexibility to use some of the "beachfront" spectrum recovered from voluntary incentive auctions for unlicensed use.

Some of the most significant innovations in wireless communications, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, were born in spectrum bands with no exclusive license. Collectively, unlicensed devices help generate an estimated $16-37 billion per year for the U.S. economy. Even our nation's largest wireless service providers use unlicensed spectrum to reduce congestion on their network, with experts suggesting that more than one-third of their data traffic today is off-loaded onto Wi-Fi networks.

Exploring the use of beachfront spectrum, specifically in the television band, is vital given its ability to penetrate buildings, enhance rural coverage, and carry more data traffic than traditional Wi-Fi. Yet today, within the frequencies best suited for mobile broadband services, there is more than five times as much spectrum available for licensed use as there is for unlicensed use. From Plumas, California to Logan, Ohio, entrepreneurs and small businesses are working with leaders in key sectors of the U.S. economy, such as health care, education and energy to develop wireless hotspots, medical patient monitoring, smart grid and other innovative applications that use unlicensed spectrum found in the television band.

Spectrum policy must recognize that both licensed and unlicensed spectrum in the television band maximizes the economic benefits of wireless broadband. With a balanced approach to spectrum policy, we can unlock billions of dollars in private investment, new innovations, job creation, and economic growth. Thank you for considering these views.