Beating China in the race to 5G requires moving quickly on mid-band spectrum

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Verizon supports U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and John Thune's (R-SD) 5G Spectrum Act (S. 2881) to ensure mid-band spectrum is quickly made available for 5G. The 5G Spectrum Act requires the FCC to begin a transparent and competitive public auction in 2020 that frees up 280 megahertz of spectrum in the C-Band for 5G. The following statement should be attributed to Robert Fisher, Verizon senior vice president, federal government affairs:

"To realize the promise of 5G and to ensure the U.S. continues to lead the world, the federal government must make mid-band spectrum available for 5G as quickly as possible. Verizon appreciates Chairman Wicker and Majority Whip Thune's leadership to quickly make mid-band spectrum available with the introduction of their 5G Spectrum Act. We urge Congress and the FCC to act with urgency. There is too much at stake. China has already made large blocks of mid-band spectrum available for 5G. We can't afford to fall behind in the global race."