STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI Re: Spectrum Horizons, ET Docket No. 18-21 In our Spectrum Frontiers proceeding, the FCC has been busy working to make high-band spectrum between 24 GHz and 95 GHz available for commercial use. But if the United States is to remain the world leader in wireless technologies, we can’t play it safe. That’s why it’s time for us to look beyond the frontier and up to the horizon. With this action, we’re seeking to unleash new wireless services and technologies in frequencies above 95 GHz. Now, I realize that some are skeptical that this spectrum can be used productively. But the skeptics have been proven wrong before. In this decade, some said that spectrum above 3 GHz wasn’t really useful for mobile communications. Yet today, mid-band spectrum is ripe for Commission consideration—both because technology has advanced and the demand for mobile broadband is insatiable. And spectrum licenses above 24 GHz are already drawing multi-billion dollar attention from the private sector on the secondary market. The point is that we must be open to new technologies that haven’t even been developed. And while we don’t know precisely how far the laws of physics will permit us to go, we do know there’s potential and interest. Engineers and entrepreneurs need to have the ability to push the envelope. That’s why we’re proposing options for licensed services, unlicensed operations, and a new class of experimental licenses above 95 GHz. This all-of-the-above approach will promote innovation and help put this spectrum to its best use. Many thanks go to the staff who worked on this item. In particular, thanks to Bahman Badipour, Chad Beattie, Brian Butler, Martin Doczkat, Michael Ha, Bill Hurst, Walter Johnston, Julie Knapp, Ed Mantiply, Nick Oros, Jamison Prime, Karen Rackley, Rodney Small, and Hugh VanTuyl from the Office of Engineering and Technology; Matthew Pearl, John Schauble, Blaise Scinto, and Joel Taubenblatt from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau; Jose Albuquerque, Chip Fleming, and Bob Nelson from the International Bureau; Jeremy Marcus from the Enforcement Bureau; and Deborah Broderson from the Office of General Counsel.