STATEMENT OF 
CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI

Re: 	Partitioning, Disaggregation, and Leasing of Spectrum, WT Docket No. 19-38

The recent Netflix series, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” has launched a phenomenon as Americans embrace Marie’s special way of keeping a tidy home.  A key to the KonMari method is effectively managing your possessions by keeping only those that “spark joy.”  For the FCC, spectrum that is being put to productive use sparks joy.  Spectrum that lies fallow does not.  That’s why we allow license holders to partition, disaggregate, or lease spectrum so more of it can be more easily used.

To ensure we do that as effectively as possible, today’s Notice tees up many questions regarding the Commission’s partitioning and disaggregation rules (which allow a spectrum license to be broken up into smaller pieces), as well as our leasing rules.  We’re aiming to figure out whether any changes to those rules would help small carriers and wireless Internet service providers get better access to spectrum, such as by encouraging spectrum licensees to lease or sell spectrum to small companies serving rural areas.  Additionally, in order to fulfill our obligations under the MOBILE NOW Act, we seek comment on whether a change to performance requirements could help rural telecommunications services and smaller providers.  And we’re also looking at how reaggregating previously separated licenses might encourage deployment of additional services.  In short, we want to explore ways to improve wireless access in parts of this country—and I’ve seen many of them—that too often are on the wrong side of the digital divide.  I’m looking forward to reviewing the record on these questions to find the appropriate way forward.  And I do hope it sparks joy, of course.

Many thanks to the staff who worked on this item: Lloyd Coward, Anna Gentry, Jessica Greffenius, Kathy Harris, Jessica Hynosky, Roger Noel, Becky Schwartz, Dana Shaffer, Don Stockdale, Cecilia Sulhoff, and Suzanne Tetreault from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau; Judith Dempsey, Catherine Matraves, Giulia McHenry, and Emily Talaga from the Office of Economics and Analytics; Chana Wilkerson from the Office of Communications Business Opportunities; and David Horowitz, Doug Klein, and Bill Richardson from the Office of General Counsel.