H.R. 4813 — Introduced in House

I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4813 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 17, 2018Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study to evaluate the role of unlicensed spectrum in offloading broadband traffic, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wireless Internet Focus on Innovation in Spectrum Technology for Unlicensed Deployment Act or the WIFI STUDy Act. 2. GAO study on the role of unlicensed spectrum in offloading broadband traffic (a) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate a study of— (1) the role that unlicensed spectrum plays in the development of the proliferation of Internet-connected devices; (2) the role of unlicensed spectrum in managing Internet protocol traffic on licensed wireless or other broadband networks; (3) the economic benefits to providers and subscribers that WiFi provides in assisting with Internet traffic management; and (4) the potential avenues for, and barriers to, broad deployment of gigabit WiFi service in spectrum bands below 6 gigahertz at a scale that allows for rapid expanded use of new consumer devices. (b) Report Not later than 18 months after initiating the study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study that sets forth the findings, conclusions, and recommendations, if any, of the study.