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 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  MICHAEL  J.  COPPS  June  10,  2004 
 RE:  Amendment  of  Parts  1,  21,  73,  74  and  101  of  the  Commission’s  Rules  to  Facilitate  the  Use  of  the  Universal  Licensing  System  in  the  2150-  2162  and  2500-  2690  MHz 
 Bands;  Part  1  of  the  Commission’s  Rules  –  Further  Competitive  Bidding  Procedures;  Amendment  of  Parts  21  an  74  to  enable  Multipoint  Distribution 
 Service  and  the  Instructional  Television  Fixed  Service  Amendment  of  Parts  21  and  74  to  Engage  in  Fixed  Two-  Way  Transmissions;  Amendment  of  Parts  21  and  74  of 
 the  Commission’s  Rules  With  Regard  to  Licensing  in  the  Multipoint  Distribution  Service  and  in  the  Instructional  Television  Fixed  Service  for  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
 (Report  and  Order  and  Further  Notice  of  Public  Rulemaking) 
 Today  we  take  a  major  step  toward  providing  stability  in  the  MMDS  and  ITFS  band.  We  establish  a  new  band  plan  that  separates  high-  power  operations  from  low-power 
 operations.  We  create  a  transition  mechanism  designed  to  move  us  from  the  current  plan  to  a  new  three-  part  band  plan.  And,  most  importantly,  we  resolve  with 
 finality  the  question  of  ITFS  eligibility.  ITFS  licenses  are,  and  will  continue  to  be,  reserved  for  educators.  Uncertainty  on  all  these  matters  has  created  a  confusing 
 environment  for  too  long,  and  it  has  held  back  needed  investment.  But  now  1,275  ITFS  licensees  in  70,000  locations  have  the  stability  they  need  to  make  the  most  of  this 
 spectrum.  I  thank  the  Chairman  and  my  colleagues  for  making  this  the  case. 
 So  now  our  ITFS  and  MMDS  licensees  can  fully  demonstrate  to  the  Commission  that  with  this  stability  they  will  build  out  their  systems.  Many  licensees  are  already  doing 
 incredible  work  and  making  efficient  and  intensive  use  of  the  spectrum.  Others  are  not,  but  now  they  have  the  opportunity—  and  the  obligation—  to  do  so.  The  Bureau  has  been 
 tasked  with  reporting  to  the  Commission  on  progress  on  the  transition  and  on  the  intensity  of  use  of  the  band.  While  we  all  understand  that  the  dislocations  caused  by  the 
 transition  will  have  an  impact  on  deployment  schedules,  every  licensee  must  work  hard  to  ensure  that  they  move  forward  and  put  this  valuable  spectrum  to  use  rapidly.  There  are 
 many  who  believe  that  MMDS  and  ITFS  licensees  will  not  use  the  spectrum  efficiently.  I  think  they  are  wrong.  This  is  your  chance,  licensees,  to  prove  the  skeptics  wrong. 


 The  best  ITFS  licensees  provide  an  example  of  how  the  public’s  spectrum  can  truly  be  used  to  serve  the  public  interest.  Children  are  educated.  Distance  learning  is 
 enabled.  Rural  access  becomes  a  reality.  Let’s  make  the  best  of  ITFS  the  rule  for  the  whole  band. 


 Thanks  to  the  Bureau  and  thanks  again  to  my  colleagues  for  all  the  hard  work  on  this  difficult  item.  I  believe  that  our  collaboration  has  produced  very  positive  results. 
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