NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
October 19, 2011 Neil Grace, (202) 418-0506 
Email: Neil.Grace@fcc.gov
NEW FCC INFOGRAPHIC – “SPEC IT OUT!” – ILLUSTRATES CONSUMER 
IMPACT OF MOBILE BROADBAND EXPLOSION AND POTENTIAL 
BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARY INCENTIVE AUCTIONS ON U.S. JOB 
CREATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH & INNOVATION 
Washington, D.C. (October 19, 2011) – The Federal Communications Commission today released a new 
infographic, titled “Spec it Out!”, to illustrate the critical role of spectrum in the lives of hundreds of millions 
of Americans who increasingly adopt mobile broadband through smartphones and tablets.  The infographic 
also illustrates the current mobile explosion and, consequently, the looming spectrum crunch whereby demand 
for spectrum is rapidly outstripping supply.  Failure to free up more spectrum for mobile broadband will stifle 
innovation and result in higher prices for consumers and growing network congestion.   
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE INFOGRAPHIC: PDF, JPG or PNG. 
Speaking at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last week, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said:  “The 
spectrum crunch is the single biggest threat to one of the most promising parts of our economy. There’s much 
we need to do to free up spectrum for mobile broadband, but the single biggest step is voluntary incentive 
auctions.
“Under this proposal from our National Broadband Plan, spectrum licensees like broadcasters could 
voluntarily contribute underused spectrum to an auction, in exchange for a share of the proceeds from the 
auction. It's an incentive-based approach, grounded in strong free-market principles, that would free up large 
blocks of beachfront spectrum for mobile broadband while preserving a strong and healthy TV business, and 
generating $25 billion in potential deficit reduction, plus at least ten times that in economic benefits.
“This proposal enjoys broad and bipartisan support. Companies representing a trillion dollars in revenue have 
supported it, from mobile to tech to consumer electronics. More than 110 of the nation’s leading economists 
have endorsed it, including Nobel Prize winners and former members of both Republican and Democratic 
administrations. It’s also won the support of a number of major TV networks and station owners that 
recognize that these auctions would be a win-win.”
To learn more about spectrum, visit www.fcc.gov or follow us on Twitter @FCC.
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