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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).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
May 9, 2013 Neil Grace: (202) 418-0506
Email:  Neil.Grace@fcc.gov
COMMISSION PROPOSES TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF IN-FLIGHT WI-FI
Seeks Comment on Innovative Use of Spectrum for Air-Ground Mobile Broadband Service
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today took action to expand the 
availability of in-flight broadband connectivity to airline passengers.  The Commission proposes to 
establish an air-ground mobile broadband service, using a ground-based network to communicate with 
planes, by taking advantage of technical innovations to expand sharing of certain spectrum among users. 
Expanded availability of in-flight Wi-Fi will help meet demand from travelers to connect to a full range 
of communications services while flying in the contiguous United States.  
More options for in-flight broadband are likely to increase competition, improve the quality of service, 
and lead to lower prices.  Improved connectivity benefits business and leisure travelers alike in their 
desire for ubiquitous broadband access to keep in touch with work, family, and friends while flying.  
The Commission proposes to establish this air-ground mobile broadband service as a secondary allocation
in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band, the same band used by satellite companies for Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) 
uplinks on a primary basis and by certain Federal services on a secondary basis.  The service would be 
required to protect primary FSS in the band from harmful interference and to coordinate with other users 
in the band.  
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) proposes technical rules to assure that the service’s
operations will not cause harmful interference.  It also seeks comment on licensing rules by which the 
Commission would license the service in either two 250-megahertz blocks, one 500-megahertz block, or 
some other spectrum block size.  The Notice proposes to award these licenses by auction.
Action by the Commission May 9, 2013, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 13-66).  Chairman 
Genachowski, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, and Pai.  Separate statements issued by Chairman 
Genachowski, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, and Pai.  Commissioner McDowell not 
participating.
Docket No.:  GN Docket No. 13-114.
– FCC –
For further information, contact Neil Grace, Office of Media Relations at (202) 418-0506; (202) 418-0431 
(TTY); email: Neil.Grace@fcc.gov. 
For more news and information about the FCC please visit: www.fcc.gov.