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 Remarks  of  Jonathan  S.  Adelstein 
 Commissioner,  Federal  Communications  Commission 
 Workshop  on  Cognitive  Radio  Technologies  Office  of  Engineering  and  Technology 
 Federal  Communications  Commission  Washington,  DC 


 May  19,  2003  [As  prepared  for  delivery] 
 Let  me  welcome  you  again  to  the  Workshop  on  Cognitive  Radio  Technologies.  Thank  you  for  taking  the  time  to  participate  in  today’s  discussion.  I  appreciate  the  folks  in  OET  inviting  me  to 
 help  kick-  off  the  event  and  the  work  of  Jim  Schlicting  and  Mike  Marcus  in  organizing  the  workshop.  While  I’ve  only  been  at  the  Commission  for  six  months,  I’ve  been  really  impressed 
 with  the  professionalism  and  expertise  of  the  OET  staff  –  even  though  Julie  and  Bruce  couldn’t  help  me  fix  the  remote  control  on  my  office  TV  the  other  day!  Seriously,  it’s  been  a  real 
 pleasure  to  work  with  Ed  Thomas  and  his  staff  on  the  many  key  technical  issues  we’ve  already  addressed  this  year. 


 As  I’ve  tried  to  make  clear,  I’m  a  big  fan  of  wireless  services.  I’m  fascinated  by  spectrum-  based  technologies,  which  are  increasingly  the  real  drivers  of  innovation  in  telecom.  Today  we’re 
 exploring  the  amazing  possibilities  that  cognitive  radio  technologies  have  to  offer. 
 Use  of  spectrum  touches  our  lives  in  a  lot  of  ways.  Whether  calling  for  help  with  a  flat  tire,  staying  in  touch  with  our  family,  or  helping  with  a  problem  at  work,  spectrum  is  the  medium  we 
 can  use  on  the  go  to  make  our  lives  safer  and  more  productive.  The  incredible  progress  we’ve  made  in  wireless  is  also  enhancing  the  security  and  prosperity  of  our  Nation. 


 The  cognitive  radio  technologies  that  are  today’s  focus  offer  the  potential  for  even  more  innovation  that  can  spur  our  nation’s  productivity  and  our  citizens’  safety. 
 Of  the  many  challenges  Congress  has  charged  the  Commission  with,  spectrum  management  is  a  top  priority.  I’ve  set  out  an  approach  for  spectrum  policy  in  what  I  have  called  a  “Framework  for 
 Innovation.”  In  dealing  with  spectrum,  I  believe  the  Commission  has  a  responsibility  to  establish  ground  rules  for  issues  such  as  interference  and  availability,  but  applying  the  rules  with  a  light 
 touch.  In  this  area,  fortunately,  we  can  rely  heavily  on  technology,  with  engineering  and  innovation  driving  increased  performance,  increased  capacity,  and  more  and  better  services  for 
 consumers. 
 New  cognitive  radio  technologies  can  potentially  play  a  key  role  in  shaping  our  spectrum  use  in  the  future.  These  technologies  can  lead  to  the  advent  of  smarter  unlicensed  devices  that  make 
 greater  use  of  spectrum  than  possible  today  –  without  interfering  with  licensed  users.  Cognitive  radios  may  also  provide  licensees  with  innovative  ways  to  use  their  current  spectrum  more 
 efficiently,  and  to  lease  their  spectrum  on  the  secondary  market.  I  saw  some  of  these  very 
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 technologies  demonstrated  last  week  at  the  summit  at  NTIA,  and  am  just  amazed  by  their  potential. 
 In  the  broader  framework,  cognitive  radio  technologies  offer  the  promise  of  helping  us  leave  the  world  of  command-  and-  control  behind  and  create  an  environment  where  a  framework  for 
 innovation  can  leverage  their  potential  benefits.  The  potential  of  these  technologies  to  “do  more  with  less”  can  help  us  make  room  to  accommodate  both  more  users  and  the  newest  service 
 offerings. 
 Cognitive  radio  technologies  can  also  help  address  two  critical  points  identified  in  the  recent  Spectrum  Policy  Task  Force  Report  with  which  I  strongly  agree.  First  is  the  goal  of  “increasing 
 the  public  benefits  derived  from  the  use  of  radio  spectrum,”  and,  second,  the  concern  that  “increasing  demand  for  spectrum-  based  services  and  devices  are  straining  [our]  longstanding  and 
 outmoded  spectrum  policies.” 
 I  commend  Chairman  Powell  for  his  leadership  in  this  area,  and  applaud  the  hard  work  of  Dr.  Paul  Kolodzy,  Lauren  Van  Wazer,  and  the  Task  Force  staff  for  helping  identify  spectrum 
 management  areas  ripe  for  reform.  This  follow-  on  workshop  is  an  excellent  example  of  how  I  think  we  should  define  and  pursue  our  key  spectrum  policy  goals. 


 With  the  right  framework  in  place,  we  will  continue  to  see  exciting  innovations  increase  performance  and  capacity.  These  will  offer  consumers  more  and  better  services,  no  matter  where 
 they  live.  The  right  kind  of  spectrum  management  policy  promotes  these  developments  by  pushing  boundaries  to  accommodate  new  technologies  and  services.  As  policy  makers,  we 
 always  need  to  consider  the  latest  technologies  in  managing  the  spectrum.  Of  course,  that’s  a  big  part  of  why  we’re  here  today. 


 Again,  welcome  to  today’s  workshop.  Please  help  us  think  through  these  critical  public  policy  issues  so  that  we  remain  “cognitive”  of  them  in  the  future. 
 And  thank  you  for  joining  us  this  morning. 
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