STATEMENT OF 
CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI
Re: Amendment of Parts 1, 22, 24, 27, 74, 80, 90, 95, and 101 To Establish Uniform License 
Renewal, Discontinuance of Operation, and Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum 
Disaggregation Rules and Policies for Certain Wireless Radio Services, WT Docket No. 10-112
Baseball has been with us for over a century.  And fans regard its rules as sacrosanct.  But for the 
early years of its existence, during the 1800s, major rule changes occurred regularly, and it was common 
for different leagues to play by different rules.  For instance, in 1886, the National League required seven 
balls for a walk, while the American Association required only six (the current four-ball rule was codified 
in 1889).  However, since the American League was formed in 1901, the rules have been consistent 
across both leagues—except for the pesky Designated Hitter rule, which they can’t seem to agree on.  
Needless to say, baseball’s been a huge success ever since.
This Report and Order has a similar aim of consistency.  Today, the FCC has a patchwork for 
handling the renewal of Wireless Radio Service spectrum licenses.  Some renewal rules are service-
specific.  There are different provisions on comparative renewals and continuity of service.  We also have 
partitioning and disaggregation performance rules.  This patchwork isn’t optimal, to say the least.
We want to change all that by standardizing the framework.  We’ll have a single step-by-step 
process that will be applied across the board.  This simplified process will reduce regulatory burdens so 
resources can go towards investment in wireless networks and spurring innovation in all parts of America.
This item takes another step that, in my view, hits it out of the park.  Too often, licensed spectrum 
isn’t being used to benefit Americans who live in rural areas.  That’s why I’m pleased that today’s 
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking asks questions on how the FCC could promote greater buildout 
in these areas.  We want this public resource, once licensed, to benefit as many Americans as possible—
including those in hard-to-reach places.  That’s an important component of closing the urban-rural divide 
when it comes to connectivity.
My thanks to the FCC staff for their work on this item.  In particular, thanks to John Barry, Steve 
Buenzow, Lloyd Coward, Peter Daronco, Tom Derenge, Anna Gentry, Jessica Greffenius, Kathy Harris, 
Joyce Jones, Roger Noel, Tom Reed, Mike Regiec, John Schauble, Jim Schlichting, Blaise Scinto, Scot 
Stone, Nina Shafran, Cecilia Sulhoff, Alex Vetras, and Mary Claire York from the Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau; Tracy Simmons and Michael Wilhelm from the Public Safety and 
Homeland Security Bureau; Jason Koslofsky, Jeremy Marcus, and Aspa Paroutsas from the Enforcement 
Bureau; Chana Wilkerson from the Office of Communications Business Opportunities; and David 
Horowitz and Doug Klein from the Office of General Counsel.