Media Contact: 
Brooke Ericson, (202) 418-2300
Brooke.Ericson@fcc.gov
For immediate release
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY 
ON HOUSE COMPANION TO AIRWAVES ACT 
WASHINGTON, February 7, 2018. – “I applaud Representatives Lance and Doyle, 
along with Guthrie, Matsui, Brooks, Welch, Walberg, and Clarke for introducing and 
leading the process for the House companion to the AIRWAVES Act.  This critical 
spectrum legislation demonstrates that Congress supports – on a bipartisan, bicameral 
basis – firm spectrum deadlines and auctions for key bands.  Further, Congressman 
Lance has assured me that the added provisions related to 3.5 GHz are intended to 
facilitate the needed spectrum auction and preserve the unlicensed portion of the band, 
but are in no way intended to prevent the Commission from altering its current rules as 
it pertains to PALs.  To make these deadlines a reality, the Commission needs a 
technical fix to statutory requirements regarding holding upfront auction payments.  I 
look forward to working with Congress on all of these issues in order to ensure that the 
U.S. leads on 5G deployment.”    
 
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Office of Commissioner Mike O’Rielly: (202) 418-2300
Twitter: @mikeofcc
www.fcc.gov/leadership/michael-orielly
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).