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HR 857 103th Congress House

Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1993

Official title: To establish procedures to improve the allocation and assignment of the electromagnetic spectrum, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 25, 1994 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative procedureCongressional reporting requirementsCost controlFederal Communications Commission
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Federal advisory bodiesLicensesRadio spectrum allocationRadio stationsTelecommunication industryTelecommunication policy
This bill died when the 103rd Congress ended
It never became law before the 103rd Congress (1993–1994) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 10, 1993
For Further Action See H.R.2264.
Feb 24, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Feb 4, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Feb 4, 1993
Introduced in House
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 Latest action August 10, 1993

For Further Action See H.R.2264.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1993 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct joint electromagnetic spectrum planning meetings with respect to: (1) future spectrum needs and allocation actions; and (2) actions to promote the efficient use of the spectrum.

Requires reports to the President identifying frequency bands that: (1) are allocated on a primary basis for Government use and eligible for licensing pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934; (2) are not required for Government needs; (3) can be made available and are likely to have significant value for non-Government users; and (4) will not result in excessive costs to the Government. Sets forth criteria for identifying, and recommending for reassignment or sharing, such frequency bands. Requires reports to make an initial identification of 30MHz of spectrum for immediate reallocation and distribution by the FCC pursuant to competitive bidding procedures, and preliminary and final identifications of additional reallocable frequency bands.

Directs the Secretary to convene an advisory committee to review, advise, and receive public comment.

Directs the President to: (1) withdraw or limit the assignment to a Government station of any frequency recommended for reallocation or mixed use; (2) assign or reassign other frequencies to Government stations as necessary; and (3) publish in the Federal Register a notice of such actions. Authorizes the President to substitute alternative frequencies in the interests of national defense, important Government needs, public health or safety, or Federal financial considerations.

Provides that any Government licensee, or non-Government entity operating on behalf of a Government licensee, that is displaced from a frequency may be reimbursed not more than its incremental costs that are directly attributable to the loss of the use of the frequency. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the FCC to: (1) form a plan to assign the spectrum identified in the initial report pursuant to competitive bidding procedures during FY 1996 through 1998; and (2) submit a plan for the distribution of the remaining bands.

Authorizes the President to reclaim reallocated frequencies for reassignment to Government stations.

Amends the Act to require the FCC to use competitive bidding for awarding all initial licenses and new construction permits, subject to specified exclusions. Prohibits licensing by lottery when competitive bidding is required.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 857: Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1993. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-857/
MLA
"H.R. 857: Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1993." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-857/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 857, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-857/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 857: Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1993](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-857/)
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