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 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS: March 21, 2012 Melissa Glidden Tye, 202-418-1993 Melissa.Tye@fcc.gov FCC PROPOSES 40 MHZ OF ADDITIONAL SPECTRUM FOR MOBILE BROADBAND Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry to Remove Unnecessary Barriers and Meet Rapidly Growing Demands for Mobile Broadband Washington, D.C.—The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took steps today to increase the nation’s supply of spectrum for mobile broadband by removing unnecessary barriers to flexible use of 40 megahertz of additional spectrum currently assigned to the Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) in the 2 GHz band. This proposal would carry out a recommendation in the National Broadband Plan that the Commission enable the provision of stand-alone terrestrial services in this spectrum. The proposed rules are designed to provide for flexible use of this spectrum, to encourage innovation and investment in mobile broadband, and to provide a stable regulatory environment in which broadband deployment can develop in the 2 GHz band. The notice directly follows on last year’s 2 GHz Band Co-Allocation Order, in which the Commission laid the predicate for full terrestrial use of this band. In the Notice of Inquiry, the Commission seeks comment on potential ways to free up additional valuable spectrum to address the increased demand for mobile broadband spectrum. Action by the Commission March 21, 2012, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry (FCC 12-32). Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners McDowell and Clyburn. Separate statements issued by Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners McDowell and Clyburn. WT Docket No. 12-70 For further information, contact Jeremy Marcus (202-418-0059; Jeremy.Marcus@fcc.gov). -FCC- News and information about the Federal Communications Commission is available at www.fcc.gov.