Federal Communications Commission FCC 12-32
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
Re: Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz Bands, 
WT Docket No. 12-70; Fixed and Mobile Services in the Mobile Satellite Service Bands at 1525-
1559 MHz and 1626.5-1660.5 MHz, 1610-1626.5 MHz and 2483.5-2500 MHz, and 2000-2020 MHz 
and 2180-2200 MHz, ET Docket No. 10-142; Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 
1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz and 2175-2180 MHz Bands, WT Docket No. 
04-356.
As we all know, Americans are consuming more of the airwaves than ever before through 
powerful new mobile broadband devices.  Our appetite for spectrum seems insatiable.  Today, the FCC 
takes a small but important step toward satisfying that hunger. 
With mobile broadband in mind, since my arrival at the Commission I have advocated for more 
flexible use standards when adopting spectrum policy.  The Commission has a checkered past of 
micromanaging spectrum use only to find years later that technical innovation and market demands have 
evolved past the government’s myopic view.  Exploring ways to allow for dynamic uses of valuable 
frequencies while preventing harmful interference to other licensees and users is a laudable goal.  Our 
notice of proposed rulemaking liberating the 2 GHz Band, rebranded today as “AWS-4,” for possible 
terrestrial broadband use is a step in the right direction.  I commend Chairman Genachowski for bringing 
forward this comprehensive, deregulatory and broadly-applicable proposal.
 
But he didn’t stop there.  He has also put forth today’s notice of inquiry on a proposed “2 GHz 
Extension Band Concept,” which incorporates an idea from the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration to reallocate 1695-1710 MHz from federal to commercial use.  I look forward 
to learning from all interested parties on these timely proposals.  And, I thank the folks in the Wireless 
Telecommunications and International bureaus, as well as our friends at NTIA, for your thoughtful and 
creative work.