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 Remarks  of  Michael  K.  Powell 
 Chairman,  Federal  Communications  Commission  At  the 
 Broadband  Access  Network  Coordination  (BANC)  Event  Hotel  Monaco 
 San  Francisco,  California  July  12,  2004 
 (As  prepared  for  delivery) 
 Thank  you,  Graham  and  Dan,  for  those  impressive  presentations  on  the  Broadband  Access  Network  Coordination  (BANC)  system  and  for  the  opportunity  to 
 learn  more  about  this  exciting  initiative. 
 The  FCC's  goal  is  to  make  ubiquitous  and  affordable  broadband  a  reality  for  all  Americans,  regardless  of  where  they  live.  In  order  to  make  that  goal  a  reality,  our  role  is 
 to  facilitate  competition  within  the  broadband  market  in  order  to  spur  greater  deployment.  I  believe  wireless  technology  has  the  potential  to  transform  the  marketplace 
 by  bringing  much  needed  competition  to  the  existing  DSL  and  cable-  modem  platforms.  We  also  must  think  about  broadband  broadly.  We  at  the  FCC  have  tried  to 
 become  champions  and  supporters  of  innovative  efforts  to  develop  alternative  competitive  platforms,  including  wireless  broadband  networks  deployed  in  the 
 unlicensed  bands. 
 The  FCC,  however,  cannot  take  credit  for  the  success  of  wireless  broadband  providers  operating  on  unlicensed  bands.  We  used  to  think  that  these  bands  were  limited 
 to  applications  such  as  baby  monitors  and  garage  door  openers.  But  the  entrepreneurial  efforts  of  WISPs  have  shown  us  the  tremendous  potential  for  providing 
 wireless  broadband  services  in  the  license-  exempt  space. 
 We've  traveled  around  the  country  to  learn  more  about  the  many  innovative  ways  that  wireless  broadband  providers  are  serving  their  communities.  This  is  the  first 
 demonstration  that  I  have  seen  of  a  self-  organized  approach  to  solving  the  interference  issues.  What  is  exciting  about  BANC  is  it  represents  the  true  spirit  of  entrepreneurial 
 creation.  I  applaud  BANC  members  for  developing  a  solution  quickly  and  independently  and  continuing  their  work  of  broadband  deployment,  rather  than  hoping  -  or  asking  -  for 
 the  government  to  try  to  solve  this  problem  for  them.  BANC  demonstrates  a  lot  of  promise,  and  I  hope  that  this  type  of  cooperative  effort  can  be  replicated  around  the 
 country. 
 On  the  issue  of  more  spectrum  for  wireless  broadband,  the  FCC  has  been  aggressively  hunting  for  it.  We're  happy  to  have  recently  allocated  more  spectrum  for 
 unlicensed  uses  in  the  5  GHz  band.  In  addition,  we  would  like  to  be  able  to  see  more  spectrum  in  the  lower  bands  for  wireless  broadband  services.  We  also  want  to 
 aggressively  explore  sharing  by  unlicensed  devices  in  spectrum  bands  in  cases  which  would  not  have  not  possible  only  a  short  time  ago.  For  instance,  the  Commission 
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 recently  adopted  an  NPRM  looking  at  using  the  so-  called  white  spaces  in  the  broadcast  spectrum  for  unlicensed  use.  We  don't  know  where  all  these  efforts  will  lead  us,  but  it  is 
 worth  the  journey. 
 Unlicensed  uses  and  WiFi  have  far  exceeded  what  any  one  expected,  and  have  disproved  the  many  naysayers.  In  fact,  during  my  seven  years  at  the  FCC,  I  have  heard 
 many  predictions  -  most  of  what  I  was  told  was  not  possible  is  now  in  commercial  production.  The  FCC  does  not  want  to  be  the  arbiter  of  what  does  or  does  not  work. 
 Instead,  we  should  strive  to  facilitate  innovation,  and  make  sure  that  we  do  not  get  in  the  way. 


 Again,  I  commend  you  for  your  thoughtful  and  innovative  approach  to  addressing  interference  concerns  and  appreciate  the  opportunity  to  see  it  demonstrated  first-  hand. 
 Thank  you. 
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