Representatives Matsui & Guthrie Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Supporting Additional Spectrum for Broadband Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Representatives Matsui andamp; Guthrie Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Supporting Additional Spectrum for Broadband Services
The letter calls on the FCC to explore spectrum sharing opportunities in the 10 GHz band
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), co-chairs of the Federal Spectrum Working Group, led a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler expressing support for the FCC's efforts to free up additional spectrum for broadband services. The recently concluded AWS-3 spectrum auction yielded historic revenues, and the letter requests the FCC build on this success and explore potential sharing opportunities within the 10 GHz band.
The letter was also signed by Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Bob Latta (R-OH); and Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Marco Rubio (R-FL).
A PDF copy of the signed letter is available here.
The full text of the letter is below:
March 2, 2015
The Honorable Tom Wheeler
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairman Wheeler:
We write to express support for the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) efforts to free up additional spectrum for wireless broadband use. We applaud the FCC's recent spectrum auction of the AWS-3 band which yielded historic revenue and underscored the incredible demand for this valuable resource. In an effort to build on this success, we request the FCC explore potential sharing opportunities within the 10 GHz band.
There is no doubt that spectrum has become an increasingly important part of our everyday lives. From the increase in mobile broadband use to the expansion of connected devices, spectrum has contributed greatly to economic growth and innovation. Wi-Fi hotspots are utilizing unlicensed spectrum to connect communities across the country, and cutting-edge technologies that rely on spectrum are addressing critical twenty-first century challenges. Addressing the well documented spectrum crunch and supporting the emerging Internet of Things will require additional spectrum capacity and infrastructure. As we continue harnessing technology to promote growth and innovation, we must ensure the capacity of our nation's airwaves keeps pace with demand.
Sharing opportunities in the 10 GHz band could make more spectrum available and provide another avenue for consumers and innovators to tap into the Internet economy. This band could be used for expanding Wi-Fi capabilities to bring Internet access to more Americans. It could also provide an opportunity to expand affordable, high-speed, Internet access to Americans living in urban and rural communities.
We have seen the benefits of the various forms of spectrum - licensed, lightly licensed, and unlicensed - in our economy. We also recognize the importance of ensuring that the introduction of broadband technology can coexist with incumbent systems without causing harmful interference. To that end, we request that the FCC explore viable solutions in the 10 GHz band. We stand ready to work with the Commission on this issue moving forward.
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