US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

47 U.S.C. § 1502

Identifying 255 megahertz

(a)

Requirements

(1)

In general

Not later than , the Secretary, working through the NTIA, and the Commission shall identify a total of at least 255 megahertz of Federal and non-Federal spectrum for mobile and fixed wireless broadband use.

(2)

Unlicensed and licensed use

Of the spectrum identified under paragraph (1), not less than—
(A)
100 megahertz below the frequency of 8000 megahertz shall be identified for use on an unlicensed basis;
(B)
section 923(h) of this title 100 megahertz below the frequency of 6000 megahertz shall be identified for use on an exclusive, licensed basis for commercial mobile use, pursuant to the Commission’s authority to implement such licensing in a flexible manner, and subject to potential continued use of such spectrum by incumbent Federal entities in designated geographic areas indefinitely or for such length of time stipulated in transition plans approved by the Technical Panel under for those incumbent entities to be relocated to alternate spectrum; and
(C)
55 megahertz below the frequency of 8000 megahertz shall be identified for use on either a licensed or unlicensed basis, or a combination of licensed and unlicensed.
(3)

Non-eligible spectrum

For purposes of satisfying the requirement under paragraph (1), the following spectrum shall not be counted:
(A)
The frequencies between 1695 and 1710 megahertz.
(B)
The frequencies between 1755 and 1780 megahertz.
(C)
The frequencies between 2155 and 2180 megahertz.
(D)
The frequencies between 3550 and 3700 megahertz.
(E)
Spectrum that the Commission determines had more than de minimis mobile or fixed wireless broadband operations within the band on the day before .
(4)

Treatment of certain other spectrum

Public Law 114–74Spectrum identified pursuant to this section may include eligible spectrum, if any, identified after , pursuant to title X of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 ().

(5)

Spectrum made available on and after

Any spectrum that has been made available for licensed or unlicensed use on and after , and that otherwise satisfies the requirements of this section may be counted towards the requirements of this subsection.

(6)

Relocation prioritized over sharing

section 923(j) of this titleThis section shall be carried out in accordance with .

(7)

Considerations

In identifying spectrum for use under this section, the Secretary, working through the NTIA, and Commission shall consider—
(A)
the need to preserve critical existing and planned Federal Government capabilities;
(B)
the impact on existing State, local, and tribal government capabilities;
(C)
the international implications;
(D)
the need for appropriate enforcement mechanisms and authorities; and
(E)
the importance of the deployment of wireless broadband services in rural areas of the United States.
(b)

Rules of construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed—
(1)
to impair or otherwise affect the functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals;
(2)
to require the disclosure of classified information, law enforcement sensitive information, or other information that must be protected in the interest of national security; or
(3)
47 U.S.C. 921 to affect any requirement under section 156 of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act ( note), as added by section 1062(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000, or any other relevant statutory requirement applicable to the reallocation of Federal spectrum.

Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title VI, § 603132 Stat. 1098(, , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 114–74129 Stat. 584Pub. L. 114–74129 Stat. 621section 901 of this titleThe Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), is , , . Title X of the Act, known as the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2015, is title X of , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2015 Amendment note set out under and Tables.

section 156 of title I of Pub. L. 102–538Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1062(a)113 Stat. 767section 921 of this titleSection 156 of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act, as added by section 1062(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is , as added by , , , formerly set out as a note under .