FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
June 14.2012
JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe
United States Senate
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Snowe:
Thank you for your leller encouraging a comprehensive approach to spectrum policy that
includes improved planning. management, and coordination activities. We arc in agreement that
policy makers need [0 focus on a variety of tools to dramatically increase the efficiency of
spectrum use, including by making significantly more spectrum available for wireless
broadband.
To achieve these goals. I recently announced the Commission's Mobile Action Plan.
This comprehensive strategy comprises three separate. though related tracks: core opportunities.
emerging opportunities, and next frontiers of wireless policy.
Core opportunities include plans to auction 65 MHz of spectrum over the next three
years, as directed by the recenl spectrum legislation. They also include removing barriers to
f1exible spectrum use. such as the recent AWS-4 rulemaking to convert 40 Mllz of spectrum
from satellite to terrestrial use. and rule changes the Commission unanimously adopted at its
May meeting to accelerate rollout of LTE in the 800 MHz band.
Critically, this track also enlails improving network and device efficiency - including
efficient receivers in every band. The Commission initiated a review of receiver performance
with a two-day workshop in March. and the Technological Advisory Council has made this issue
a top priority.
Emerging oppol1unities include implementing the important incentive auction legislation.
along with opening TV white spaces for unlicensed usc, and creating the Mobility Fund to
promote expansion of mobile broadband to unserved rural areas of the country. As you have
noted in your letter, the Commission will work closcly and coordinate with NTIA.
As the 1755-1850 MHz band report illustrates, spectrum sharing between government
and commercial users will be key to releasing spectrum for alternative use where today the only
option is complete reallocation or nothing. In partnership with NTIA. testing to support sharing
in the 1755-1780 MHz band is underway. Another next frontier, small cells, also could benefit
from our partner hip with TIA - potentially sharing spectrum in the 3.5 Mllz band. The
Commission also is working with TIA and industry on a core oppol1unity - making an
additional 120 MHz of spectrum in the 5 GHz band available for unlicensed use such as Wi-Fi.
445 12lH STREET S.W WASHINGTON. D.C. 20554 • 202-418-' 000
Page 2-The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe
The Mobile Action Plan offers us a far-reaching map forward. I appreciate your
thoughtful input on these critically important issues and look forward to our continued work
together. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.