Barbara Boxer: “today, Senator Allen and I are introducing the Jumpstart Broadband Act. The Act directs the FCC to set aside an…”

“today, Senator Allen and I are introducing the Jumpstart Broadband Act. The Act directs the FCC to set aside an additional 255 megahertz of spectrum in the 5 gigahertz band for unlicensed devices to use to deploy broadband connections. It also directs the FCC to establish rules to minimize interference in that spectrum among devices and to ensure that Department of Defense systems operating in that spectrum are not compromised. We need this legislation to unleash the potential of new, exciting technologies that promise to deliver high-speed broadband connections wirelessly. Currently, congestion and interference from numerous devices such as cordless phones, ham radios, microwave ovens, ham radios and garage door openers is limiting the potential of these new networks. If we can tap the potential of high-speed broadband, then we can provide numerous benefits to the American people as well as create jobs in high tech industries. I know that talking about megahertz and spectrum seems somewhat esoteric. But we strongly believe our bill will have real world implications for families, workers, and communities. Making additional spectrum available for new wireless broadband technologies will help make broadband connections more attractive to consumers by extending the reach of those connections. That means more people will sign up for wired connections, creating jobs in the turbulent telecommunications and high-tech industries.”