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September I 0, 20 14 
The Honorable Tom Wheeler, Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 I th Street, SW 
Washington, D.C. 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
As the sponsors of the Wi-Fi lnnovation Act, we write to express our strong support for freeing 
up underutilized spectrum to maximize unlicensed use in the upper 5 GHz band. The demand for wireless 
spectrum is growing exponentially, and Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
must work together with industry to help meet this demand. Increased use of unlicensed technologies and 
better utilization of spectrum are vital to alleviating the spectrum crunch, expanding Wi-Fi use, and 
promoting innovation. Unlicensed spectrum and Wi-Fi can also help improve broadband access and 
ensure ubiquitous connectivity. 
As you know, the upper 5GHz band is currently allocated for satellite services and Intelligent 
Transportation Systems (ITS). Satellite operators are utilizing the band to provide global 
communications, and the automobile industry has conducted valuable research and development to 
improve highway safety through the use of connected vehicles and related technologies. In order to 
maximize spectrum use in the band, the FCC must determine that unlicensed spectrum use would not 
cause harmful interference to these incumbent systems. We have joined together to introduce the Wi-Fi 
Innovation Act because this bipartisan, bicameral legislation directs the FCC to determine the extent to 
which unlicensed spectrum can be shared and utilized in increasingly innovative ways to benefit 
consumers and our economy, while recognizing the needs of incumbent users. 
The upper 5 GHz band represents a unique opportunity to maximize the use of a valuable, 
underutilized resource. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is moving forward with a 
rulemaking on vehicle-to-vehicle devices in new light vehicles and is seeking public input on sharing the 
upper 5 GHz band, among other considerations. The FCC must seize this opportunity to conduct testing 
and find solutions to interference now. We urge the FCC to proceed expeditiously with collaborative 
testing to determine if unlicensed devices can coexist with ITS and incumbent satellite systems. We are 
confident the FCC can successfully resolve any potential interference issues through thorough analysis 
and testing, and we hope this process will lead to rules and standards that unleash innovation and expand 
Wi-Fi while protecting incumbent systems. 
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to working with you to address 
the spectrum crunch and expand Wi-Fi technology. 
Sincerely, 
--
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Senator Marco Rubio Senator Cory A. Booker 
A~cJfJ1~· 
Representative Doris Matsui