Title: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate about a strategy to deploy fifth generation mobile networks (5G networks) and next-generation wireless and wired technologies to promote economic development and digital innovation throughout the United States.
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Supports the deployment and advancement of fifth generation (5G) mobile networks to encourage economic growth and reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should commit to modernizing infrastructure policies to meet demand for wireless broadband services; increase access, quality, and affordability of broadband services; and continue participation in global efforts to create standards for 5G networks.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 242 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 242

  Expressing the sense of the Senate about a strategy to deploy fifth 
 generation mobile networks (5G networks) and next-generation wireless 
  and wired technologies to promote economic development and digital 
                innovation throughout the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 2, 2017

   Mr. Wicker (for himself, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Gardner, Ms. Hassan, Mr. 
 Moran, and Mr. Peters) submitted the following resolution; which was 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the Senate about a strategy to deploy fifth 
 generation mobile networks (5G networks) and next-generation wireless 
  and wired technologies to promote economic development and digital 
                innovation throughout the United States.

Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks are essential to economic growth, 
        job creation, and the global competitiveness of the United States;
Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks provide connectivity to billions 
        of devices, applications, and services that are increasing productivity 
        and efficiency across every industry and economic sector;
Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks create and support millions of 
        jobs;
Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks are vital to providing 
        communications services and access to internet connectivity to people in 
        the United States living in rural and remote geographic areas;
Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks are a platform for innovation and 
        ingenuity, powering advancements in the Internet of Things and other 
        revolutionary technologies;
Whereas 5G networks will have the capacity to deliver enhanced mobile broadband 
        with significantly faster data transmission speeds, low latency, more 
        reliable connections, and greater data capacity, which will provide for 
        seamless internet connectivity throughout all regions across the United 
        States;
Whereas 5G networks are expected to create more than 3,000,000 new jobs in the 
        United States, generate $275,000,000,000 in investment from the wireless 
        industry, and add $500,000,000,000 to the economy of the United States 
        over the next decade;
Whereas next-generation, gigabit Wi-Fi solutions that rely on unlicensed 
        spectrum bands are poised to unleash a new round of innovation and 
        consumer benefit from an industry that generates an economic surplus of 
        $547,000,000,000 and contributes $50,000,000,000 annually in gross 
        domestic product to the economy of the United States;
Whereas 5G networks will enable innovative consumer and industrial applications 
        that will enhance and maximize the capability, uses, and quality of 
        technological developments, including telemedicine, precision 
        agriculture, self-driving cars, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, 
        smart communities, and advancements in public safety;
Whereas the United States is a global leader in developing new technology and 
        fostering digital innovation that has generated significant economic and 
        social advancement and opportunity in the United States and around the 
        world;
Whereas many States and localities are streamlining policies to facilitate 
        siting and small cell deployment in support of 5G networks;
Whereas modernizing the infrastructure policies of the United States and 
        securing adequate spectrum bands will be essential to the deployment of 
        5G networks and next-generation wireless technologies, and the 
        realization of all its promised economic and social benefits; and
Whereas wireless and wired broadband networks, in addition to other 
        technologies, are essential to closing the digital divide, delivering 
        broadband service to rural areas, creating jobs, and powering economic 
        development and innovation across the United States: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the United States 
should--
            (1) promote the deployment of 5G networks in a manner that 
        encourages robust investment, job creation, economic growth, 
        and continued United States leadership in developing next-
        generation wireless technologies;
            (2) advance 5G networks as a way of closing the digital 
        divide and reducing the disparity in quality communications 
        services available in rural areas;
            (3) recognize that 5G networks will facilitate the 
        development of a new generation of technologies that will open 
        opportunities for increased efficiency, mobility, 
        accessibility, economic development, and prosperity in 
        communities throughout the country;
            (4) commit to modernizing the infrastructure policies of 
        the United States and identifying additional spectrum in low, 
        mid, and high bands for licensed and unlicensed uses and to 
        support the deployment of 5G networks and meet the increasing 
        demands for wireless broadband service;
            (5) recognize that 5G networks will give consumers access 
        to more choices and enable them to derive greater value from 
        mobile connections;
            (6) commit to deploying 5G networks that are resilient and 
        secure;
            (7) continue to participate in global efforts to create 
        standards for 5G networks that improve user experiences, 
        maximize use-cases, enable interoperability, sustain multiple, 
        simultaneous connections, increase network capacity through 
        virtualization or other software developments, and adapt to new 
        technologies and future network applications; and
            (8) promote the deployment of broadband technologies to 
        expand the availability, affordability, and quality of 
        broadband service throughout the United States.
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