DC 20510
April 19, 2012
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Strcet, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairman Genachowski:
We support your cfforts to increase thc amount of wireless spectrum available for next­
generation broadband services. Success in this endeavor will help many more Americans have
better access to broadband, improved scrvice, and more choice. At the same time, many
companies will invest in new technology and infrastructure, creating high-quality jobs in the
process. One such company could be Hughes Network Systems of Germantown, Maryland,
which is working with its parent company, EchoStar (an affiliate of DISH Network), to develop
satelliteiterrestrial hybrid wireless broadband platforms.
We have endeavored in Congress to ensure that the Federal Commwlications
Commission CFCC") would not be restricted in its ability to put satellite spectmm to use as a
means of delivering wireless broadband. Most recently, as members of the conference
committee on the Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act of2012 (RR. 3630), we
supported adoption of spectrum legislation that would not tie the FCC s hands in allocating
Mobile Satellite Service CMSS") spectrum for terrestrial use.
We were pleased by the FCC's unanimous adoption a rulemaking order last month that
might let MSS S-Band licensees provide terrestrial broadband service in a more efficient manner
than current rules permit. This is precisely the type of action the FCC can and should take when
Congress allows an expert agency to use its best judgment on highly technical matters. We
encourage the Commission to complete the rulemaking as expeditiously as possible.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact either of us
directly, or have your staff contact Gray Maxwell (Cardin) at 202/224-4524 or Ken Cummings
(Van Hollen) at 202/225-5341.
Sincerely,
Chris Van Hollen
Member of Congress
BLC: dgm
jamin L. Cardin
United States Senator
0519