STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
March 19, 2008
The Commission has announced the closing of Auction 73, assigning over 1,000 
licenses for much of the 700 MHz band, at just under $19.6 billion in final bids.  This 
impressive sum is almost double the amount that was estimated for this auction, and it 
exceeds the final receipts of all previous U.S. spectrum auctions combined.  
The 700 MHz spectrum will provide consumers with mobile broadband, mobile 
video, and other services not yet imagined. With its excellent propagation characteristics, 
this spectrum may be particularly useful in expanding advanced services in rural areas, a 
key goal of the Commission that has been mandated by Congress.  
Now we must turn our attention to the important work of reviewing our options 
for the Upper 700 MHz D block, ten megahertz of spectrum that was designed to create a 
Public/Private Partnership to build a nationwide, interoperable broadband network that 
would improve public safety communications.  In so doing, we must keep in mind that 
our nation’s first responders need advanced communications to provide their critical, life-
saving services to citizens all across this county.  I am committed to working with 
Congress, my colleagues, the public safety community, and potential service providers to 
find a solution that meets our common goals.