STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN 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 According to the Commission’s licensing records, more than 675,000 renewal applications are expected to be filed by geographic and site-based licensees over the next decade. At a time when both the Commission’s budget and staff appear to be shrinking, it behooves us to have a streamlined and efficient process in place to review forthcoming applications. Such a process will not only promote efficient use of our scarce spectrum resources, but will also provide licensees certainty when it comes to their license renewal requirements. In the item before us today, we replace a patchwork of service-specific rules with a uniform renewal standard for most Wireless Radio Services licensees. Notably, we adopt a set of safe harbors that will reduce licensee filing burdens and focus Commission resources on reviewing applications that merit a closer look. We also make clear that if a licensee cannot meet the renewal standard and its license cannot be renewed, its licensed spectrum will be automatically returned to the Commission. At the heart of this proceeding, is the Commission’s duty to ensure that the nation’s valuable spectrum resources are being responsibly and robustly deployed to meet the growing needs of consumers and businesses. As we challenge ourselves, our federal partners, and industry stakeholders to free up additional spectrum to meet our evolving wireless needs, we must be resolute and vigilant in ensuring that already deployed spectrum is being put to its highest and best use. In the Further Notice, we recognize the growing digital and opportunities divide in this country, and seek comment on actions that can be taken to promote deployment of wireless services in rural areas. These connectivity challenges were ones I experienced first-hand last month during my visit to Marietta, Ohio. And it is with that experience in mind that I asked for the inclusion of questions relating to affordability and adoption of broadband services in rural America. I am grateful to my colleagues for agreeing to this request, which includes seeking comment on whether the Commission should incorporate into the renewal process reporting requirements relating to affordability of services as well as steps licensees have taken to address adoption deficiencies. I look forward to reviewing the record that develops and remain committed to exploring all avenues to closing this divide. I would like to thank the staff of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for your sustained efforts to ensure that our license renewal process is harmonized and promotes efficient use of scarce spectrum resources.