Media Contact: Office of Media Relations, (202) 418-0500 MediaRelations@fcc.gov For Immediate Release WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT CHAIRMAN PAI’S PLAN TO BOOST WI-FI AND PROMOTE AUTO SAFETY IN THE 5.9 GHZ BAND -- Senator Ron Johnson (WI): “More good news from the @FCC on opening up critical spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band. Thanks @AjitPaiFCC for your continued leadership!” (Tweet, 10/29/20) Representatives Billy Long (MO) and John Shimkus (IL): “The COVID pandemic has only further underscored the need to ensure our scarce spectrum resources are being employed as efficiently as possible. We applaud the efforts of Chairman Pai and the FCC, including the most recent developments regarding the 5.9 GHz band, to further enhance connectivity and Wi-Fi capabilities to help schools, small businesses and other critical aspects of our economy keep pace with growing digital demands, particularly in rural communities like the ones we represent.” (Statement, 10/28/20) ALLvanza: “Thank you @AjitPaiFCC @JRosenworcel @mikeofcc @BrendanCarrFCC @GeoffreyStarks for taking action to ensure valuable spectrum is managed effectively, efficiently and fairly.” (Tweet, 10/28/20) American Action Forum: “Additional spectrum allocations help bridge the digital divide & ensure that spectrum is utilized to its greatest effectiveness. The FCC has done a great job in engaging in bipartisan action to encourage the internet infrastructure needed for innovation and improved connectivity.” (Tweet, 11/12/20) Center for Individual Freedom: “The past few months have further cemented Wi-Fi’s pivotal role in our lives as Americans continue to work and learn from home in unprecedented numbers. The draft Order circulated by Chairman Pai in the 5.9 GHz proceeding builds on the vital work the Commission is doing to make more spectrum available for 5G and for Wi-Fi.” (Tweet, 10/28/20) Charter: “We applaud the Chairman’s leadership and … efforts to take significant steps to accelerate America’s 5G transition and promote innovation in the unlicensed ecosystem. We hope the Commission will build on its positive momentum to adopt its innovative proposal for the 5.9 GHz band, and look forward to continuing to work with the Commission and the wide array of stakeholders to help usher in the next generations of Wi-Fi for American consumers, businesses, hospitals, and schools, in communities of all sizes across the country.” (Statement, 10/27/20) Citizens Against Government Waste: “The FCC will be taking a much needed and significant step to improve the availability and use of spectrum, which is a limited resource owned by the taxpayers. The agency should continue to make decisions like this going forward to ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of innovation in global technology and telecommunications.” (Blog, 11/13/20) Competitive Enterprise Institute: “The @FCC considering moving the 5.9 GHz band of spectrum in a more productive direction for U.S. consumers.” (Tweet, 11/12/20) Consumer Action for a Strong Economy: “If you are reading this, then YOU will benefit from @AjitPaiFCC's plan to ‘supercharge’ Wi-Fi by finally making use of 5.9 GHz band - THIS will open the door for more innovations in auto safety and countless other consumer and economic benefits.” (Tweet, 11/13/20) Digital Liberty: “Repurposing the 5.9 GHz for WiFi technologies could give consumers gigabit speeds that would enable quality connections for devices and reduce crowding on existing WiFI signal overcrowding.” (Blog, 10/28/20) Free State Foundation: “The FCC is poised to put an additional 75 MHz of high-demand mid-band spectrum to its highest and best use. Chairman Ajit Pai has included an item on the Commission's agenda for its November 18 Open Meeting that at long last would free the 5.9 GHz band from a technological no man's land. … Much-needed additional capacity would be made available to existing Wi-Fi devices. Wi-Fi 6 would gain access to a 160 MHz channel, unlocking its full potential. And the automobile industry for the first time would be authorized by rule to deploy C-V2X, a modern, cellular-based automotive safety solution.” (Blog, 11/9/20) FreedomWorks: “We applaud Chairman Pai and the FCC for moving forward with this important change. With our world advancing technologically every day and amidst the coronavirus pandemic, access to high-speed WiFi has never been more important than it is right now. For decades, the 5.9 GHz band has sat idly offering few benefits for the American people. The Commission’s decision today is a fantastic compromise to respect existing actors while making sure this spectrum gets online for the Americans who need it most. This move will have benefits for years to come.” (Statement, 10/28/20) Hewlett Packard Enterprises: “The #UNII4 band in 5.9 GHz is nearly a reality for #WiFi in the US! Thanks to @AjitPaiFCC @mikeofcc @JRosenworcel @BrendanCarrFCC @GeoffreyStarks for prioritizing completing this rulemaking and the history-making legacy of this Commission for #unlicensed.” (Tweet, 11/12/20) Innovation Economy Institute: “The Chairman has proposed that the 5.9 spectrum band finally be freed. This would make available additional, and much needed, capacity for wi-fi. … And twenty years seems much longer than too long for consumers to be denied the use of those precious airwaves to improve their wireless lives. The Chairman’s proposal frees those airwaves and finally delivers a real measure of additional safety for automated vehicles. Now the FCC just has to vote to provide these wins to the American people.” (Blog, 11/13/20) International Center for Law & Economics: “Next Wednesday will be a big one for the future of WiFi in the US. The FCC will vote to reapportion the 5.9 GHz band in a manner that will both promote transportation safety and improve digital connectedness. The development is overdue. Though dedicated for auto use since 1999, the 5.9 GHz band sits largely unused in the vast majority of the country the vast majority of the time. It’s simply inexcusable to allow these airwaves to lie fallow, especially when they could be used to connect unconnected Americans. For years now @AjitPaiFCC and the team at the @FCC have undertaken a careful and considered approach to the disposition of the band and, in doing so, have finally landed on a compromise that will redound to the benefit of all.” (Tweet, 11/12/20) LGBT Tech: “Good to see efforts moving forward to repurpose the 5.9 band for #WiFi!” (Tweet, 10/29/20) Libertas Institute: “The 5.9 GHz plan proposed by @AjitPaiFCC provides wins for everyone. Consumers can get better quality wifi, and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything automotive safety technology has room to grow where outdated DSRC tech currently resides.” (Tweet, 11/16/20) Lincoln Network: “More innovative uses for spectrum to come from this FCC’s already stellar track record. For far too long this spectrum has been incredibly underused. The FCC’s actions in 5.9 GHz will increase density to our networks, create a more contiguous WiFi band, and add even more competition to the wireless market.” (Tweet, 10/27/20) The Market Institute: “Huge props to @AjitPaiFCC for proposed rules that would ‘supercharge Wi-Fi and improve automotive safety’ using 5.9GHz band.” (Tweet, 10/28/20) Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council: “On November 18th, the @FCC is voting on opening up the 5.9 GHz #spectrum band for unlicensed #WiFi use. This creates more bandwidth for telehealth and remote learning, helping to close the #HomeworkGap and creating a better-connected future!” (Tweet, 11/13/20) National Taxpayers Union: “Great news. More spectrum for consumers is a big win for taxpayers.” (Tweet, 10/28/20) NCTA—The Internet & Television Association: “At a time when American consumers are relying on Wi-Fi more than ever before, we commend Chairman Pai for taking action to enable next-generation Wi-Fi access to the 5.9 GHz band. After more than 20 years of spectrum underutilization in 5.9 GHz, and a seven-year Commission proceeding, the Chairman’s compromise proposal is the right way to bring this band online, creating a new wide Wi-Fi channel that will support more data at much faster speeds and that can be activated by early next year, while also reserving sufficient spectrum for future automotive safety innovations.” (Statement, 10/27/20) Pelican Center for Technology and Innovation: “Want gigabit wireless speeds? The 5.9 GHz band can help make that happen. We are excited @FCC is voting to open up more valuable spectrum to get more Americans connected when they need it most.” (Tweet, 11/12/20) Public Knowledge: “The proposed FCC Order will save millions of lives by making critical communications services available to all Americans as we prepare for another COVID-19 spike and possible lockdowns. Unlike DSRC, gigabit Wi-Fi and wireless broadband can be deployed nationally with a software update to most existing hardware. … For 20 years, DSRC has remained stalled at the starting line. The proposed FCC Order would replace this stale technology with modern, and more efficient, 5G applications. This is a trade that gives Americans a safety upgrade and helps close the digital divide in the bargain.” (Statement, 10/27/20) R Street Institute: “The adjacency of the 5.9 GHz band to existing unlicensed allocations in the 5 GHz band means quicker deployment of Wi-Fi 6. Great to see the @FCC moving forward with this.” (Tweet, 10/27/20) Taxpayers Protection Alliance: “This is a great example of the FCC doing exactly what it is supposed to do by appropriately managing the nation’s precious spectrum resource. Spectrum in the 5.9 band has laid flat for too long because of bureaucracy and red tape, a clear failure of the government’s duty to taxpayers and consumers. The FCC’s proposal would leave plenty of spectrum for car-safety technology (primarily the new C-V2X) while repurposing spectrum for Wi-Fi to help support the fast-growing demand due to smart phones and mobile services. We’re delighted to see that this FCC under Chairman Pai has the fortitude to cut through the noise and do the right thing. Their efforts to reallocate the bulk of the 5.9 band will help close the digital divide at a time when access to broadband is an integral part of staying safe from COVID-19.” (Statement, 10/27/20) Wi-Fi Alliance: “Wi-Fi Alliance® commends FCC Chairman Pai for addressing the urgent need for spectrum required to support explosive demand for Wi-Fi®. The additional 45 megahertz (5.850-5.895 GHz) will enable rapid deployment of next generation Wi-Fi, such as Wi-Fi 6, that will use wider channels to support gigabit connectivity with lower latency, improved coverage, and increased power efficiency. Wi-Fi Alliance urges the Commission to recognize Wi-Fi’s critical role in the telecommunications infrastructure and vote to approve this proposal, enabling a new level of connectivity for educators, healthcare providers, businesses, and consumers.” (Statement, 10/28/20) WifiForward: “Today, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai unveiled a common-sense plan for the unused 5.9 GHz band that will grow Wi-Fi networks when we need them more than ever and set the stage for cutting-edge auto safety innovations. This proposal with bipartisan support expands the country’s existing primary Wi-Fi band and creates a new wide channel to deliver gigabit speeds to Americans in school, in doctors’ offices and at home. It’s a win-win-win for consumers, businesses and the automotive industry. WifiForward commends the Chairman and his colleagues for their leadership in smart, balanced spectrum policy.” (Statement, 10/27/20) Wireless Broadband Association: “Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA®) strongly applauds and supports the Federal Communication Commission’s draft order to free up 5.850-5.895 GHz in the 5.9 GHz band for unlicensed use. This important step will increase bandwidth available from existing U-NII-3 WiFi access points, thereby significantly increasing throughput and capacity for consumers. … This action will enable gigabit speeds in places where equipment upgrades to 6 GHz may not be immediately feasible.” (Letter, 11/11/20) Wireless Internet Service Providers Association: “The 5.9 GHz band, which has been reserved for the automotive industry for 20 years, remains fallow despite the innovation in consumer wireless devices that has exploded during the same period of time. The promise this band holds for wireless consumers is immense. … We wholeheartedly support this exciting new allocation of unlicensed spectrum. For too long it has gone grossly underutilized. Consumers and those in the digital divide will reap the windfall of innovative new services provided by WISPs and others, which will soon populate that fallow band. Congratulations, FCC, for driving this one home!” (Statement, 10/27/20) ### Office of Chairman Pai: (202) 418-1000 / Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC / www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).