JOHN KENNEDY COMMITIEES LOU ISIANA APPROPRIATIONS BANKING, HOUSING, AND SUITE SR-383 URBAN AFFAIRS RUSSELL BUILDING BUDGET WASHINGTON, DC 20510 <tinitrd ~tares ~rnatr (202) 224-4623 JUDICIARY SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP July 18, 2019 482 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street SW Washington, DC 20554 Re: Use ofSpectrum Bands Above 24 GHz For Mobile Radio Services, GN Docket No. 14-177 Dear Chairman Pai: We write to commend the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the successful close of the 24 GHz band auction. This band will play a critical role in U.S. 5G deployments. Enabling next-generation 5G networks is a key national priority and will transform communications networks and the global economy. The 24 GHz band is key to U.S. 5G leadership and the wireless industry is poised to invest $275 billion to build out 5G networks in the U.S., creating over 3 million jobs and adding $500 billion to the economy. The 24 GHz band offers the first greenfield high band spectrum to be auctioned for 5G in the U.S. While the Department of Commerce has recently called the FCC' s 24 GHz strategy into question and even demanded the agency stop or stall the auction, impeding access to the band would put America's ability to lead in 5G at risk. The FCC followed the standard interagency coordination process in developing its rules and first sought comment on making the 24 GHz band available for 5G nearly 5 years ago. As part of its review, the FCC concluded that its rules would protect passive weather sensors from interference. No Federal party-not the Department of Commerce, NOAA, or NASA-raised any objections or concerns in the public docket. Impeding access to this band now will not change the outcome of this review-it will only slow the deployment of next-generation 5G networks. In addition, the FCC has devoted substantial financial and staff resources to conduct the auction, which raised over $2 billion for the U.S. Treasury. It is also imperative that the U.S. have a firm strategy for 5G and, more specifically, the 24 GHz band at WRC-19 in October and November of this year. WRC-19 will determine the initial globally harmonized 5G bands, and it is critical that the U.S. protect and promote the spectrum bands available in our nation today. In preparation for the conference (and before the 24 GHz auction started), the Administration-through a multi-agency approach-established our nation's position on 24 GHz interference issues. Backsliding on the U.S. position now could limit the viability of the 24 GHz band for 5G and could bleed over into the other key U.S. 5G spectrum bands. Thank you for your continued leadership in advancing 5G as a national priority. We urge you to continue the path that was settled several years ago, and look forward to you updating us on your progress in ensuring that the 24 GHz band remains available and optimized for 5G. Sincerely, John Kennedy United States Senator