**Kuster spoke in support of this legislation in the Energy and Commerce Committee**

Washington, D.C. — This week, the House passed the 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement (SALE) Act, sending it to the president’s desk. This legislation, which Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) cosponsored in the House, would temporarily grant the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction authority to complete spectrum license transfers, allowing broadband providers to service greater 5G network coverage to Americans in rural areas.

In New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District, over 50 cell sites are currently sitting inactive because the FCC’s authority to grant the licenses to turn on these sites has expired. The 5G SALE Act would fix this problem and bring these sites online, expanding 5G connectivity for rural communities.

“I’m thrilled to see the 5G SALE Act heading to the president’s desk to expand 5G connectivity across New Hampshire,” said Kuster. “This bill will allow broadband providers to turn on existing cell sites, providing service to over 130,000 people in New Hampshire’s Second District, many in rural and underserved areas. I urge the president to sign this into law quickly.”

Background:

In 2022, the FCC auctioned off roughly 8,000 licenses to grant companies access to America’s broadband spectrum. These licenses allow companies to legally use the radio waves that deliver 5G to customers. During the period between when companies paid for their licenses and when the FCC should have granted the licenses, Congress failed to reauthorize the FCC’s authority to auction off licenses altogether. 

Despite payments being complete, the FCC says it no longer has the authority to grant those licenses to broadband providers. This legislation will correct that oversight and finally put these sites online to serve customers.

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