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The Honorable Tom Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, S.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler, 
May 9, 2014 
As the Federal Communications Commission moves to finalize rules for the first-of-its­
kind incentive auction of broadcast television spectrum, it has indicated its intention to 
propose rules to ensure every carrier has the opportunity to bid and win this beachfront 
spectrum and consumers, including those living in rural areas lacking sufficient mobile 
broadband coverage, enjoy the benefits of competition. These goals are one key part of 
the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of2012, which granted the FCC 
authority to conduct an incentive auction. We commend you for your work in support of 
the Act and its goals. 
In establishing the anticipated rules for mobile spectrum holdings and the incentive 
auction, the FCC recognizes that generating sufficient revenue for auction priorities and 
protecting wireless competition are not mutually exclusive. The Public Safety Spectrum 
Act contains several critical funding priorities for the incentive auction, including funding 
any remaining portion ofthe $7 billion allotted for a nationwide public safety broadband 
network, incentivizing broadcasters to sell their spectrum, and reducing the national debt. 
At the same time, among other objectives, the Public Safety and Spectrum Act preserves 
the FCC's authority to promote competition and to protect against undue concentration of 
spectrum holdings. 
The FCC has crafted a transparent auction structure that accurately recognizes the unique 
value of low-band spectrum. We are heartened to hear that the FCC intends to ensure 
sufficient auction revenue to accomplish public interest objectives identified in the Act, 
including the full funding of the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, as well 
as sufficiently broad-based and robust competition to protect consumers' interests in 
innovation and expanded wireless broadband service in urban and rural areas alike. In 
particular, we believe that a proposal to reserve a portion of the available licenses for 
carriers with limited nationwide low-frequency holdings will stimulate auction 
competition and revenues, ensuring opportunity to bid and win spectrum to enhance and 
extend rural build out and improve coverage in all areas, while guarding against 
excessive concentration of spectrum resources. 
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We look forward to working with you to ensure the final rules for the broadcast incentive 
auction strike the right balance among the Act's many competing objectives. 
DORIS 0. MATSUI 
Member of Congress 
~(l~ ENR . A. WA AN 
Ranking Member 
Energy and Commerce Committee 
anking Member 
diciary Committee 
Sincerely, 
~&~ 
( ANNA . ESHOO 
~ ·ngMember 
Communications and Technology 
Energy and Commerce Committee 
Member of Congress 
BEN RAY LUJAN 
Member of Congress 
ADAM SMITH 
Ranking Member 
Armed Services Committee