STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY Re: Auctions of Upper Microwave Flexible Use Licenses for Next-Generation Wireless Services; Comment Sought on Competitive Bidding Procedures for Auctions 101 (28 GHz) and 102 (24 GHz); Bidding in Auction 101 Scheduled to Begin November 14, 2018, AU Docket No. 18-85. I appreciate the efforts of Chairman Pai to schedule the much-needed 24 and 28 GHz auctions and for bringing this item to the Commission. By moving forward, we are reaffirming our commitment to providers that they will have the spectrum resources they need to deploy 5G technologies, as well as to all Americans that the United States will remain the leader in wireless technologies. This item is a harbinger of good things to come. In the next few months, I look forward to receiving, as promised, an item that will resolve the remaining issues presented by the petitions for reconsideration to the 2016 order and those raised in the accompanying further notice. We will also take the next steps to open up the remaining bands (i.e., 32, 42, 50 GHz) in the 2016 further notice. We also must start the process to allocate additional bands, such as 26 GHz, for commercial wireless services. Additionally, we need to schedule auctions for the 37 and 39 GHz bands immediately and create an auction timetable for the other bands coming down the pipeline. Affected industry needs to know as soon as possible when they will need the resources to participate in what is turning into a necessary ingredient in 5G services. I am pleased that we are moving forward with these two bands, especially since I forged the deal, during the last Commission, to ensure that 24 GHz was included in the 2016 further notice. I approve.