*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 27626.doc* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS May 12, 2003 Robin Pence (202) 418- 0505 FCC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL K. POWELL STATEMENT AT THE WIRELESS INNOVATORS SHOWCASE Today’s event vividly demonstrates how the economy and consumers benefit when spectrum policy removes barriers to innovation. In the sometimes abstract debate about spectrum policy, the showcase provides a glimpse of the concrete public benefits that flow inexorably from sound market- based, flexible spectrum policies. Our progress is no longer theoretical; it is embodied in the real world technologies and applications on display here. The Federal Communications Commission, the U. S. Commerce Department and the U. S. State Department are dedicated to policies that promote the efficient use of the public’s spectrum resource. To this end, the Commission’s Spectrum Policy Task Force has worked with NTIA to promote development of the unlicensed spectrum bands utilized by today’s exhibitors. These technologies are a force in driving spectrum policy from centralized, government command and control to market- based, technology enabling models. Many of the participants in today’s exhibit are building a new wireless broadband world that holds promise for a robust economy, seamless interconnection and interoperability, and for serving rural and urban America. Building on the work of the Task Force, I am committed to working with my colleagues on the Commission and fellow government agencies to support these technological advances through additional spectral resources and policies that allow these technologies to continue to flourish. -FCC- 1