Public Knowledge President and CEO Chris Lewis To Testify Before House Energy and Commerce on America’s Wireless Leadership

Chris Lewis, President and CEO of Public Knowledge, testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on strengthening America's leadership in wireless technology.

Public Knowledge President and CEO Chris Lewis will testify before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology this Thursday, January 23 at 10:00 a.m. His testimony in the hearing on “Strengthening America’s Leadership in Wireless Technology” will urge Congress to make the Federal Communications Commission’s spectrum auction authority permanent. Additionally, Congress should treat spectrum as a vital public resource by reinvesting auction earnings to ensure that all Americans benefit from wireless technology. Finally, spectrum management must balance the needs of all stakeholders – commercial, federal, and underserved communities – while prioritizing the public interest.

The following is an excerpt from the testimony:

“The major wireless innovations of the last 30 years – mobile telephony, Wi-Fi, advanced navigation systems – all began in the United States, [quickly] spreading and creating entire new sections of our economy. When widespread use of radio for communications and broadcasting began in the early 20th century, the government did little to oversee its use. As commercial broadcasting became both economically lucrative and politically powerful, many more people wanted to use the spectrum than the technology of the time could support. 

“[While] other governments effectively nationalized their spectrum, the United States created an independent agency to oversee spectrum use, designed to strike the right balance between the many users of spectrum – such as public safety, local governments, and broadcasters – to encourage innovation and private investment. Most importantly, Congress recognized that spectrum represented a unique, non-renewable public resource [and acted] to protect and manage the ‘public airwaves’ for the public interest.

“Congress made clear when it adopted auctions as a means of distribution that it intended the FCC – and licensees – to use auctions to serve the public interest rather than to maximize revenue. Revenues from auctions are for ‘recovery for the public of a portion of the value of the public spectrum resource made available for commercial use.’ 

“This combination of private management in the public interest, carefully overseen by an independent FCC, laid the foundation for our wireless economy and long-standing U.S. dominance of wireless innovation. The private sector, driven by profit motive, provides the capital investment. Management in the public interest ensures that these networks include all Americans.

“To maintain American leadership in wireless technology, Congress should avoid using spectrum auctions solely for revenue generation, instead reinvesting proceeds into broadband expansion, public safety, and closing the digital divide. By promoting competition, encouraging new business models, and fostering collaboration between federal and commercial users, the U.S. can ensure ongoing wireless innovation and equitable access for all Americans, securing its position at the forefront of the global wireless economy.”

You may view the testimony.

Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.