FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
January 10, 20 J 2
JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Greg Walden
Chairman
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Committee on Energy and Commerce
U.S. House of Representatives
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Walden:
Thank you for the opportunity to update the Committee on the workload ofthe
Commission.
When I arrived at the Commission, I asked the staff to focus on reducing the backlogged
applications and petitions, and work to close out stale dockets. I am pleased to report that the
Commission has made progress in reducing the backlog in a number of areas.
Because ofthe hard work ofthe Commission staff, the number oflicense and license
renewal applications pending at the Commission has reduced by 12 percent. Notably, the Public
Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has reduced its pending applications by 38 percent, the
International Bureau has reduced its pending applications by 52 percent, and the Media Bureau
has reduced the number ofapplications pending more than 5 years by 43 percent.
Additionally, the Commission has reduced the number ofpending petitions for
reconsideration and applications for review by 24 percent. The Media Bureau alone has reduced
the number ofpetitions for reconsideration and applications for review pending more than two
years by 43 percent.
Further, there are items, such as indecency complaints, which are currently out ofthe
Commissions control. Ninety-nine percent ofall consumer complaints pending more than two
years cannot be resolved by Commission while courts consider the indecency issues.
Finally, through a diligent effort involving all of the Bureaus and Offices a significant
number of stale dockets were closed. The number ofopen dockets has been reduced by 43
percent and the number ofdockets with no filings in over 5 years has been reduced by 89
percent.
445 12TH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 • 202-418-1000
Page Hhe Honorable Greg Walden
As our efforts show, the Commission has continued to make great improvement in
addre sing its backlog. We must continue to improve and I remain committed to continuing our
efforts to reduce the Commission's backlog.
Sincerely,
Julius Genachowski
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
January 10,2012
..JULIUS GENACHQWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Cliff Stearns
Chairnlan
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Committee on Energy and Commerce
U.S. House of Representatives
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Stearns:
Thank you for the opportunity to update the Committee on the workload ofthe
Commission.
When I arrived at the Commission, I asked the staff to focus on reducing the backlogged
applications and petitions, and work to close out stale dockets. I am pleased to report that the
Commission has made progress in reducing the backlog in a number of areas.
Because of the hard work ofthe Commission staff, the number of license and license
renewal applications pending at the Commission has reduced by 12 percent. Notably, the Public
Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has reduced its pending applications by 38 percent, the
International Bureau has reduced its pending applications by 52 percent, and the Media Bureau
has reduced the number ofapplications pending more than 5 years by 43 percent.
Additionally, the Commission has reduced the number ofpending petitions for
reconsideration and applications for review by 24 percent. The Media Bureau alone has reduced
the number ofpetitions for reconsideration and applications for review pending more than two
years by 43 percent.
Further, there are items, such as indecency complaints, which are currently out ofthe
Commission's control. Ninety-nine percent of all consumer complaints pending more than two
years cannot be resolved by Commission while courts consider the indecency issues.
Finally, through a diligent effort involving all of the Bureaus and Offices a significant
number of stale dockets were closed. The number ofopen dockets has been reduced by 43
percent and the number ofdockets with no filings in over 5 years has been reduced by 89
percent.
445 12TH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C 20554 • 202-418-1000
Page~Honorable Cliff Steams
As our efforts show, the Commission has continued to make great improvement in
addressing its backlog. We must continue to improve and I remain committed to continuing our
efforts to reduce the Commission's backlog.
Sincerely,
Julius Genachowski