Tomorrow, July 22, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on a proposal make more wireless spectrum available for licensed commercial use.  This is a constructive move as consumer demand for wireless traffic has been consistently increasing and will surge in the coming years.  

As HLF’s president has previously written, spectrum is a big deal–despite not being in the headlines often–because it quietly powers modern life.  It is the invisible infrastructure behind the wireless networks we all depend on every day to work, learn, access healthcare, run businesses, and stay connected with family and friends.  As connected devices multiply and emerging technologies place even greater demands on our networks, making spectrum essential.

The FCC can build on decades of successful spectrum policy. By advancing valuable mid-band spectrum toward licensed commercial use, the FCC is creating the conditions for continued private-sector investment. That means stronger networks with greater capacity.

Beyond faster download speeds, spectrum usage is about America’s ability to compete on the global stage in the industries that will define the future.

Friends and foes abroad are investing aggressively in next-generation wireless technologies because they recognize that advanced connectivity underpins economic growth and innovation.  Advanced manufacturing, precision agriculture, connected transportation, and other innovations we have yet to imagine will all depend on robust wireless infrastructure.  America cannot afford to fall behind because we failed to fuel our own spectrum pipeline.

Those investments matter for every American, but they are particularly important for underserved communities.

Hispanic Americans are more likely than many other Americans to rely on smartphones as their primary means of accessing the internet, making reliable wireless connectivity particularly important.  Investments in stronger networks can expand access to education, telehealth, financial services, employment opportunities, and the digital tools families increasingly rely on daily.

The same is true for Hispanic entrepreneurs. Latino-owned businesses continue to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the American economy, and reliable wireless connectivity has become essential to doing business.  Small businesses benefit when our communications infrastructure keeps pace with innovation.

When policymakers create the right conditions for private investment, the benefits extend far beyond the communications sector.

By continuing to advance market-based spectrum policies, policymakers can strengthen America’s economy, expand opportunity for all Americans, and ensure our communications infrastructure keeps pace with the demands of the future.