STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN Re: Amendment of Part 90 of the Commission’s Rules, WP Docket No. 07-100 As the demand for wireless services continues to grow, it is imperative that the FCC takes steps to ensure underutilized spectrum bands are used efficiently. This is as true for spectrum allocated to public safety as it is for the bands used to support commercial wireless broadband services. When the Commission allocated 50 megahertz of spectrum in the 4.9 GHz band, for fixed and mobile services back in 2002, it expected the development of new broadband applications such as high- speed digital technologies for scene management and dispatch operations to be widespread. Unfortunately, local public safety entities have yet to take full advantage of this band. Of the more than 90,000 public safety jurisdictions, fewer than three percent hold licenses in the 4.9 GHz band. Fortunately, around 2015, the public safety community and equipment manufacturers began offering fresh ideas on how to make more efficient use of this band. APCO, NPSTC, and others, recommended that public safety equipment include the 4.9 GHz band in chipsets that also include Wi-Fi and 4G LTE technologies. This could allow the public safety community to benefit, from some of the same innovative technologies and services used by the broader consumer marketplace. They also advised the Commission to permit larger, 40 megahertz, band channels, expand license eligibility to other members of critical infrastructure industry, and encourage better frequency coordination. Law enforcement interest in drones and robotic technologies could fuel further innovation and the proposals in today’s Further Notice builds upon these recommendations and more. So, I am pleased to support the item, and thank the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau for their work on encouraging more efficient use of the public airwaves.