STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER JESSICA ROSENWORCEL
Re: Incentive Auction Task Force Presentation (June 27, 2013)
As the presentation makes clear today, we are at the early stages of the complex but 
critical task of conducting wireless incentive auctions.  The road ahead is arduous, the choices 
hard and important.  But the task is also historic.  We have an opportunity to lead the world in 
demonstrating novel ways to reclaim spectrum and repurpose old airwaves for new mobile 
broadband use.  That is epic and exciting.  
In taking on things this monumental, it is always better to have a full complement of 
Commissioners.  But I believe we have a mandate from Congress and cannot delay.  We need to 
make progress.  We need to move forward.  
Forward momentum requires efforts that both engage stakeholders externally and use our 
resources internally.  In all of our efforts, we need to keep in mind the power of simplicity in the 
rules we develop, the need for fairness in our treatment of stakeholders, the balance required in 
our decision-making, and the essential task of funding public safety.   
Now from the lofty to the local, I think it is important to focus on several near-term 
activities to keep our efforts on course.
First, forward progress requires transparency.  I continue to believe the Commission 
should hold a series of public hearings on the incentive auctions.  We can use these sessions to 
explore major aspects of the auction—the reverse auction, the repacking, the forward auction, 
and the transition process.  We could ask the hard questions.  What’s the right balance of 
licensed and unlicensed spectrum under the law?  How do the forward and reverse auctions fit 
together?  How will we determine initial bids?  Commissioners could attend, engage directly 
with experts, and provide stakeholders with an opportunity to connect directly with decision 
makers.   
Second, forward progress requires that our outreach to broadcasters is not just broad—but 
also targeted.  To this end, I think the Task Force should directly reach out to every broadcaster 
in the top 30 markets in this country.  This is where our mobile broadband needs are greatest.  
Third, forward progress requires that we make progress on the bandplan.  All good 
deliberations must come to an end.  We should strive to have a 600 MHz bandplan in place by 
the end of the third quarter this year.  
Fourth, forward progress means we should assess what aspects of the auctions are not 
really in dispute.  So I ask the Task Force to consider if we should collect these issues, tee up an 
Order, and take them off the table.  
In closing, thank you to the Task Force and the countless folks who work with you and 
are striving to make these auctions a success.  Thank you also to the Chairwoman, for 
encouraging the auction team to update us at our meeting today.