STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER BRENDAN CARR Re: Communications Marketplace Report, GN Docket No. 18-231; The State of Mobile Wireless Competition, WT Docket No. 18-203; Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming, MB Docket No. 17-214; Status of Competition in the Marketplace for Delivery of Audio Programming, MB Docket No. 18-227; Satellite Communications Services for the Communications Marketplace Report, IB Docket No. 18-251. The document we’re voting on today is titled the Communications Marketplace Report. But it’s really the Commission’s first Report on the Race to 5G. Today’s Report comes out of the RAY BAUM’S Act, enacted earlier this year. Congress directed us to consolidate a variety of previously separate reports about previously distinct industries into one document. Doing so underscores how the many platforms we regulate are now locked in competition with each other. This only will increase with 5G. Consider this: § Millennials have learned that through their grandparents’ “rabbit ears” they can get some of their favorite video content for free over the air. As the Report notes, broadcast viewership has increased for the last two years, with broadcasters competing squarely with programming from multiple platforms, including satellite. § Satellite in turn is building a new generation of low earth orbit satellites that can provide broadband at speeds and latency that compete with wireless. § Wireless offers voice, broadband, and content—and increasingly delivers it to the home in competition with cable. § And cable is competing to build a fixed and mobile platform to offer broadband and video services, which will feature content it owns and even creates. That is, cable competes against broadcast, satellite, wireless, telcos—and even movie studios. This is not like any competition we’ve seen before. All of these previously siloed industries are competing to build fast, ubiquitous networks. All of them, from cable to satellite, are converging on 5G and next-gen networks. And in that race, there’s good news to report. After broadband investment fell during the final two years of the last Administration, the key indicators have turned around. Broadband investment is up. Speeds have increased. Infrastructure deployments have accelerated. And prices have declined. All great signs for consumers. So I am glad that today’s Report walks through these key indicators in the race to 5G. One of the most important steps we’ve taken to stimulate investment and competition is to streamline the rules governing the physical build out of next-gen and 5G networks. Deploying these networks is tough work. It’s hard hats and bucket trucks, harnesses and excavators. These 5G jobs are just as critical as coders and programmers. So we’ve taken steps to make that work easier. In March, we clarified that environmental and historic reviews designed for large, 200-foot macro towers no longer apply to the backpack-sized small cells needed for 5G. That decision already has accelerated broadband build out. One carrier reported that it’s clearing small cells for construction at six times the pace that it did before, and economists predict it will lead to 57,000 new small cells. In September, we established reasonable fee limits and shot clocks for localities’ approval of small cells. We learned from the 20 states that had passed small cell reform bills, and we modeled our order on their work. Economists project that this decision will save $2 billion in fees, stimulate $2.4 billion in investment, and provide next-gen coverage for 1.8 million more homes and businesses—97% of which are in rural and suburban communities. While the September order doesn’t go into effect until next month, we’re already seeing positive results. In the last few weeks alone, Boston and Virginia Beach have concluded agreements with carriers that include shot clocks and fees that mirror those in our order. So by providing clarity, our decision is helping cities and providers quickly reach agreements that further their shared goals. In short, these decisions will help 2019 be the Year of 5G. For everyday Americans, this plainly is a win. It means more competition for fast, affordable broadband. And it means more choices of content and services riding on top of that platform. This Race to 5G Report details some of the successful policies that prepared the way for next year and a path forward for improvement. I want to thank all of the bureaus and offices that worked on this Report. It was a team effort, and it has my support.