WRITTEN STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER
MEREDITH A. BAKER 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE INTERNET 
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HEARING ON “OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION”
SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 
Good morning Chairman Boucher, Ranking Member Stearns, and distinguished members of the 
Subcommittee.  Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today and report on all of the 
important matters on which we are working at the Federal Communications Commission (Commission 
or FCC). 
During my first six weeks at the Commission, I have had the opportunity to meet with its various 
bureaus and offices.  I have been greatly impressed by the agency and the depth, talent, and dedication 
of our staff as we face the unprecedented challenges of the significant issues before us. 
Chairman Genachowski gave an inspirational speech to the FCC staff on his first day.  He stated 
that the promise of technology has never been brighter and, consequently, the obligations of the 
Commission have never been greater.  I share that view.  The FCC holds the keys to unleashing the 
power of broadband, the new media landscape, and true public safety interoperability.  That 
responsibility is challenging, but the rewards will truly make a difference in the life and future of every 
American.   
According to one metric, the communications industry constitutes one-sixth of our economy and 
is the foundation upon which the rest of it runs.  A 21st Century communications infrastructure is 
essential for restoring sustained economic growth, opportunity, and prosperity. Congress has instructed 
the FCC to develop and implement a National Broadband Plan.  This directive holds great promise for 
our nation and, as you have heard, we are hard at work on it.  
Broadband has become critical infrastructure – the enabling technology for everything from the 
future of our children’s education, the next generation of health care, smart energy grid development, 
and true public safety interoperability. The FCC will play an important role in making sure that the right 
regulatory environment exists to create incentives for companies to build out infrastructure faster, to 
reward innovation and investment, and to encourage competition so that American consumers have 
access to, and can afford, the world’s most advanced telecommunications services.  We are gathering the 
data to ensure that our recommendations are well informed.  
I believe that we can reap great benefits from a more efficient, transparent, and flexible spectrum 
policy.  The Spectrum Inventory bill, introduced and cosponsored by so many members of this 
Subcommittee, shows important leadership and is a first step to increasing wireless broadband use in 
innovative ways, such as secondary markets, leasing, and test beds.  As many of you know from my 
previous position at NTIA, I think it is critical that we pursue policies that foster the efficient use of 
spectrum to promote continued innovation and investment in the wireless marketplace.  
We plan to take a hard look at the means and tools to maximize spectral efficiency and optimize 
the use of the country’s bandwidth.  I am pleased that the first vote that I cast at the Commission was to 
see what else we can do to promote innovation in the wireless sector.  Further, this afternoon, we will 
have a broadband workshop on spectrum and, on Monday, I will host our first field hearing for the 
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National Broadband Plan – a spectrum hearing in Austin, Texas.  I think it is imperative that we lay the 
foundation for wireless, the fastest growing sector of America’s broadband economy, to continue to 
flourish.   
During the past weeks, I have had the pleasure of meeting with many of the members of this 
Subcommittee. I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to meet with me and 
share your thoughts on communications policy and the future of the FCC.  I have learned a great deal 
about your respective views on the range of issues that affect your districts and constituents.  I look 
forward to continuing our dialogue and to working together for the benefit of American consumers.  
The FCC has a profound impact on what the American people see, hear, and read.  Healthy 
competition can benefit consumers and, in many cases, can reduce the need for affirmative Commission 
action.  However, the regulatory mandate of the FCC will remain an important one as our society 
continues to experience technological advancement in the communications sector.  I take this 
responsibility very seriously, while working to promote the principles of investment, innovation, and 
competition for the benefit of all Americans.  
In conclusion, it is a true honor to be serving at this important time with my four colleagues
sitting with me at this table, with their wealth of experience and expertise. I would like to thank 
formerly-Acting Chairman Copps for reintroducing a collegial tone at the Commission, which Chairman 
Genachowski has continued to build upon.  I look forward to working with them and Commissioners 
McDowell and Clyburn in taking actions that will have an extraordinary impact on the everyday lives of 
the American people.  Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you, and I look forward to 
answering your questions.