STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
Re: Implementation of Section 6002(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, 
Annual Report and Analysis of Competitive Market Conditions With Respect to Mobile Wireless 
including Commercial Mobile Services, WT Docket No. 09-66
I am voting to approve today’s inquiry, which seeks additional information regarding the 
competitive market conditions within the wireless industry.  I am pleased that the Commission is 
aiming to expand and enhance our analytical tools by asking for comment on an array of issues.  
Our task is really two-fold:  We will consider a comprehensive list of factors that affect 
competitive conditions in the provision of wireless services and then ensure that we apply the 
best analytic framework to the most robust data available.  Doing so will position the 
Commission to think through and determine prudent courses of action in a wide variety of areas. 
 
At the same time, I am less sanguine about the prospects for gathering meaningful new 
information.  While I understand that the reality of limited resources in a troubled economy may 
affect participation in this docket, I hope that interested stakeholders will not simply resubmit the 
pleadings filed in response to the Wireless Bureau’s Fourteenth Report Public Notice, which was 
issued in May.  This is especially so given that we will incorporate those earlier filings into this 
new docket.  
Moreover, just as with today’s companion inquiry on innovation in the wireless industry, 
I would have preferred that we provided a more pragmatic comment period.  Thirty days from 
the release date of the inquiry – presumably thirty days from today – does not provide parties 
with adequate time to collect, organize, and submit insightful information.  Given our express 
statement that we will consider the filings we receive in this inquiry in other pending 
proceedings, the time we allot for meaningful input now is all the more important.  
I thank the Wireless Bureau for their thoughtful work and flexibility in accommodating 
our questions.  As always, I look forward to working with the staff, engaging with interested 
parties, and learning more about the current market conditions in the wireless industry.