REMARKS OF FCC COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI 
AT CTIA’S MOBILECON 
 
On October 10, 2012, Commissioner Ajit Pai of the Federal Communications 
Commission delivered his third major speech since taking office at the MobileCon show of 
CTIA – The Wireless Association in San Diego, California.  During this address, he discussed 
the importance of the federal government’s deregulatory approach to wireless, the need to 
auction more spectrum for mobile broadband and open up more spectrum for unlicensed use, and 
the steps the FCC can take to facilitate the deployment of wireless infrastructure. 
Summary of Principles and Proposals 
? Regulation:  The FCC’s deregulatory approach to wireless has been a success. 
o The FCC should continue to cast a skeptical eye on proposals to “improve” the 
marketplace, which is highly competitive today and full of innovation. 
? Licensed Spectrum:  The FCC should reaffirm its commitment to clearing 300 MHz of 
spectrum for mobile flexible use by 2015. 
o The National Broadband Plan called for making 180 MHz available for mobile 
broadband by 2012; 0 MHz of that spectrum is available today. 
o The FCC should approve pending WCS transactions by Thanksgiving. 
o The FCC should adopt rules to free up the AWS-4 spectrum by November. 
o The FCC should conduct the broadcast incentive auction by June 30, 2014, while 
remaining faithful to the legislation, being fair to all stakeholders, and keeping the 
rules as simple as possible. 
o The FCC should auction the AWS-2 and AWS-3 spectrum in the near term. 
? Federal Spectrum:  Clearing federal users from the 1755–1780 MHz band in the near 
term should be a top priority of the FCC and the NTIA. 
? Unlicensed Spectrum:  The FCC should commence a proceeding by year end to make 
almost 200 MHz of spectrum available for unlicensed use in the 5 GHz band. 
? Infrastructure:  The FCC should take further steps to reduce regulatory barriers to 
deployment of wireless infrastructure. 
o The FCC should supplement its shot clocks for siting applications with a deemed-
grant remedy if localities do not comply. 
o The FCC should make clear that delaying new wireless infrastructure through 
moratoriums is contrary to section 332 of the Communications Act. 
o The FCC should modernize its environmental, historic preservation, and shot-
clock rules to account for distributed antenna systems and small-cell technologies. 
? Innovation:  The FCC should establish an Office of Entrepreneurial Innovation, charged 
with reviewing proposals for new technologies and services within one year, consistent 
with section 7 of the Communications Act.