Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73

§1507 Unlicensed spectrum policy

Title 47 › Chapter CHAPTER 14— - MAKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BROADBAND INVESTMENT AND LIMITING EXCESSIVE AND NEEDLESS OBSTACLES TO WIRELESS › § 1507

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make radio frequency bands available without a license when doing so helps the American people, supports innovation and investment in wireless broadband, and meets consumer demand for unlicensed wireless use. The FCC must only do this if, after considering homeland security, national security, and other users’ future needs, it is reasonable and in the public interest. It does not give unlicensed users or users licensed by rule under part 96 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations any extra protection from harmful interference.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §1507

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)It is the policy of the United States—

(1)to maximize the benefit to the people of the United States of the spectrum resources of the United States;

(2)to advance innovation and investment in wireless broadband services; and

(3)to promote spectrum policy that makes available on an unlicensed basis radio frequency bands to address consumer demand for unlicensed wireless broadband operations.

(b)The Commission shall ensure that the efforts of the Commission related to spectrum allocation and assignment made available on an unlicensed basis radio frequency bands to address demand for unlicensed wireless broadband operations if doing so is, after taking into account the future needs of homeland security, national security, and other spectrum users—

(1)reasonable; and

(2)in the public interest.

(c)Nothing in this section confers any additional rights on unlicensed users or users licensed by rule under part 96 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, to protection from harmful interference.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 1507

Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73