Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2025
The Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2025 would force the federal government to identify and reallocate a large portion of the 1.3 GHz to 13.2 GHz band (the “covered band”) for non-Federal, primarily commercial use. It directs the NTIA and FCC to identify at least 2.5 GHz (with at least 1.25 GHz reserved for “full-power” licensed wireless service) and to auction or otherwise make available the spectrum within specified timeframes. The bill requires competitive bidding for at least 1.25 GHz, with a phased auction schedule (600 MHz+ completed within 3 years, the remainder by year 6). It also requires a minimum 125 MHz set aside for unlicensed use within 2 years. Any remaining spectrum identified for reallocation would be made available for licensed or unlicensed use within 8 years. Auction proceeds must cover 110% of federal relocation/sharing costs, and the bill expands and extends the federal authority to auction and reallocate this spectrum through 8 years after enactment. The legislation also tightens timelines for relocation-related notifications, broadens allowable costs for upgrading to state-of-the-art equipment if such upgrades enable more valuable reallocation, and imposes extensive reporting and quarterly briefings to Congress about progress, coordination, and global harmonization efforts.
Key Points
- 1Identification and reallocation mandate: NTIA, with the FCC, must identify at least 2.5 GHz of spectrum in the 1.3–13.2 GHz band for non-Federal use (including at least 1.25 GHz for full-power licensed use) and do so on a staged schedule (1250 MHz identified within 2 years; remaining identified within 5 years).
- 2Auction and licensing schedule: The FCC must auction at least 1.25 GHz for full-power commercial licensed use, with a concrete timeline to complete auctions for at least 600 MHz within 3 years and the remaining spectrum within 6 years.
- 3Unlicensed use: Not less than 125 MHz of the covered band must be made available for unlicensed use within 2 years.
- 4Remaining spectrum: Any spectrum identified but not auctioned or unlicensed within the specified periods should be made available for licensed or unlicensed use within 8 years.
- 5Financial safeguards: Auction proceeds must cover 110% of federal relocation or sharing costs; the act preserves existing relocation authority and funding requirements under federal law.
- 6Auction authority and band scope: Extends the authority to auction under the Communications Act and explicitly covers the electromagnetic spectrum in the covered band, with a sunset tied to both a general deadline (7/30/2027) and an eight-year post-enactment period for the band.
- 7Reporting and oversight: Requires regular NTIA/FCC progress reports, quarterly briefings to Congress for up to 10 years, and unclassified reports (with possible classified annexes) detailing spectrum identification, coordination with federal entities, steps to begin bidding, funding estimates, and harmonization with global spectrum use.
- 8Spectrum Relocation Fund modernization: Streamlines notification timelines (shortens several congressional notification periods from 30 to 15 days) and expands cost considerations to include upgrading to state-of-the-art systems if such upgrades enable more valuable reallocation, while preserving safeguards to ensure relocation remains feasible.