STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY Re: Spectrum Horizons, ET Docket No. 18-21; James Edwin Whedbee Petition for Rulemaking to Allow Unlicensed Operation in the 95-1,000 GHz Band, RM-11795 (proceeding terminated). Count me all in for efforts to provide spectrum to the wireless community to create the new, innovative technologies and applications of the future – even if they may be a few years away. I look forward to watching what America’s entrepreneurs, innovators, and scientists can do with frequencies above 95 GHz. These bands have their propagation challenges and, right now, we do not know what services they will support; but not too long ago people scoffed at the idea of commercial use in the millimeter waves. Therefore, I support allocating these frequencies for experimental and unlicensed use. While I strenuously advocate for both licensed and unlicensed spectrum opportunities, I understand that it may be a bit premature to establish exclusive-use licenses above 95 GHz when there is great uncertainty about what technologies will be introduced, what spectrum would be ideal, or what size channel blocks are needed. Therefore, I can support waiting to see what develops. Better that than being forced to undo a mess later. Further, I have been assured that the bands being allocated for unlicensed use in this item are not ideal for licensed services; therefore, today’s allocation should not interfere with future licensing activities. Finally, today’s action in no way reduces the need for unlicensed allocations elsewhere, especially in the mid bands. While we are providing opportunities for the technologies of the future, there is still great need for spectrum to expand the unlicensed technologies of today. Two items that the Commission can and should move quickly on are: (1) revisiting the sordid history of the 5.9 GHz band and (2) taking the necessary steps to open the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use.