October 24, 2013 
W. ~.~OUSt of l\tprt5tntattbt5 
alasbtngton, ll. ([. 20515 
The Honorable Mignon Clyburn, Acting Chairwoman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, S.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20554 
Dear Acting Chairwoman Clyburn: 
We write regarding the Commission's statutory mandate under the Middle Class Tax Relief and 
Job Creation Act of2010 ("the Act") to coordinate with Canada and Mexico as part of the 
upcoming voluntary incentive auction of broadcast television frequencies. Coordination with 
Canada and Mexico is critical to ensuring Americans in border areas do not lose access to free, 
over-the-air television signals. 
In a June 4, 2013, letter to you, Congressman Dingell asked if the Commission believes it must 
complete international coordination with Mexico and Canada prior to reallocating and 
reassigning broadcast frequencies. In your July 2, 2013, response to that inquiry, you stated the 
following: 
The Commission intends to adhere to all statutory requirements. The Spectrum Act in 
section 6403(b)(I) makes the reassignment and reallocation of the broadcast spectrum 
"subject to" international coordination. That language is identical to that used by the 
Commission in describing its handling of the earlier DTV transition, in which the 
Commission "adopt{ ed] our proposed allotments for these stations subject to our 
continuing negotiations with Canada ... ," notwithstanding broadcasters' requests to the 
contrary. Advanced Television Systems & Their Impact Upon the Existing Television 
Broadcast Service, 22 FCC RCD 15581 (2007) at 1111103-05 (emphasis added); see also 
id., 13 FCC Red 7418 (1998) at 1111138-40. Thus, although the Commission has not yet 
interpreted these provisions in an Order, that precedent - where our international 
coordination with respect to the DTV transition continued beyond the finalization of 
allotments - may well be applicable to the Commission's ultimate determination of its 
statutory authority under the Spectrum Act. 
Your response implies that the Commission may proceed with the reverse auction and channel 
allocations prior to having completed negotiations with Canada and Mexico. In the event that the 
Commission does not complete negotiations with Canada and Mexico prior to reassigning 
broadcast channels, the Commission must ensure that consumers in border areas continue to have 
access to the free over-the-air broadcast signals they currently receive, to the extent mandated by 
the Act. Consequently, we would appreciate a response from you outlining your plans to 
accomplish that objective. 
1080
The Honorable Mignon Clyburn 
Page2 
We thank you for your important attention to this critical issue, and we look forward to your 
timely response to our inquiry. We all believe that successful implementation of the Act will 
serve the interests of public safety and support the technological innovation and economic 
growth associated with greater access to wireless broadband. Nevertheless, we hope to ensure 
that all Americans retain access to free, over-the-air broadcast signals. These goals are not 
mutually exclusive and we look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure this 
realization. 
Should you have any questions, you or staff can contact David Grossman in Congresswoman 
Eshoo's office at 202-225-8104 or Andrew Woelfling in Congressman Dingell's office at 202-
225-4071. 
Sincerely, 
shoo 
ngMember 
ubcommittee on Communications and Technology 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
Mike Doyle 
Member of Congress 
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Peter Welch 
Member of Congress 
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Doris 0. Matsui 
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