STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER GEOFFREY STARKS RE: Facilitating Shared Use in the 3.1-3.55 GHz Band, WT Docket No. 19-348 This item is another step towards identifying new mid-band spectrum that is critical to our efforts to increase broadband access and drive 5G innovation. Mid-band spectrum combines wide-ranging coverage with low latency and large capacity and will be fundamental to providers’ deployment of next-generation wireless services. As the item states, the 3.1 to 3.55 GHz band is particularly attractive because of its proximity to other bands that we and the international community have already identified for such services. We are in the midst of an era where technological innovation demands increasing amounts of spectrum, and identifying new bands that can be shared between incumbents and new uses will be critical. As we continue to open new bands to new services, I look forward to exploring creative policy and technical approaches that will permit the most efficient use of our limited spectrum resources. Thank you to the staff of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for their work on this item.