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S 424 114th Congress Senate Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory procedures Congressional oversight Elementary and secondary education Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Government studies and investigations Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Licensing and registrations Poverty and welfare assistance Telephone and wireless communication

Wi-Fi Innovation Act

Introduced: February 10, 2015 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 10, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Feb 10, 2015
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Wi-Fi Innovation Act

Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide additional unlicensed spectrum in the 5850-5925 megahertz band under technical rules suitable for the widespread commercial development of unlicensed operations.

Provides for such technical rules to permit outdoor unlicensed operations without requiring devices to dynamically detect signals from other systems.

Directs the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology to seek public comments on proposals for interference-mitigation techniques and potential rechannelization that would accommodate both incumbent licensees and widespread commercial unlicensed operations in such band.

Sets forth a process for the FCC to test mitigation measures and methods of sharing spectrum with unlicensed devices within such band in a manner that would not cause harmful interference to incumbent licensees.

Directs the FCC, if it determines that existing licensees would not be harmed by interference, to modify regulations to adopt technical rules for widespread commercial deployment of unlicensed operations for such band. Prohibits modification of such regulations if the FCC determines that mitigation, rechannelization, or sharing would not prevent harmful interference. Requires the FCC to notify Congress, the Department of Transportation, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of a harmful interference determination.

Requires the FCC to modify regulations relating to Intelligent Transportation Systems radio service and dedicated short-range communications service on-board units if such modification would maximize utility of such band while protecting existing licensees.

Directs the FCC to make recommendations to Congress regarding the availability of broadband Internet access using unlicensed spectrum and wireless networks in low income neighborhoods.

What's happening now February 10, 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 424: Wi-Fi Innovation Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-424/
MLA
"S. 424: Wi-Fi Innovation Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-424/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 424, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-424/.
Markdown link
[S. 424: Wi-Fi Innovation Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-424/)
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