` Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC REVIEWS ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF WIRELESS, INTERNATIONAL, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, AND ECONOMICS AND ANALYTICS TEAMS -- WASHINGTON, January 13, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission today heard reports from leaders of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, International Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and Office of Economics and Analytics on their work over the last four years. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai dedicated the entirety of the final meeting of his chairmanship to thanking Commission staff for their exceptional work and joining his colleagues in hearing presentations from Bureau, Office, and Task Force leaders. Wireless Telecommunications Bureau “Our team’s work over the last few years has been and will continue to be crucial to America’s 5G leadership. I am especially proud of our contributions to the Commission’s success in making valuable spectrum available in the marketplace, removing barriers to wireless infrastructure deployment, and helping to close the digital divide. These efforts by our dedicated Bureau staff should ensure that our nation remains at the forefront of technological innovation in the wireless sector.” – Donald Stockdale, Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau The Bureau’s presentation summarized the accomplishments of its staff in contributing to the Commission’s efforts to make 5G deployment a reality. The Bureau’s efforts have focused on repurposing large swaths of spectrum for flexible use and adopting service rules that maximize the efficient use of this limited resource. In particular, the Bureau helped to make available 280 megahertz of C-band spectrum for 5G. The Bureau has also streamlined government review of the deployment of infrastructure that supports wireless networks. The Bureau has worked hard towards closing the digital divide, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, and it has helped to ensure that Americans continue to have access to critical wireless services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the Bureau has worked to modernize the Commission’s licensing systems, while continuing to process, on average, more than 400,000 license applications each year. International Bureau “Our team is absolutely fantastic and they have worked diligently to promote broadband connectivity domestically and internationally while also protecting national security, law enforcement, foreign policy and trade policy interests associated with communications network investment. The IB team has done a wonderful job representing the Commission and U.S. interests in bilateral and multilateral meetings, ensuring that our citizens have access to greater and more affordable connectivity and that U.S. industry has continued access to harmonized spectrum and satellite orbit use. I could not be prouder of their work!” – Thomas Sullivan, Chief, International Bureau The Bureau’s presentation summarized the outstanding and diverse work of the dedicated staff of the International Bureau. In the last four years, the Bureau has worked on matters that spanned the globe and into space and under the oceans. The Bureau has streamlined licensing regulations and paved the way for high-speed satellite broadband connectivity, developed robust rules for mitigating orbital debris and reformed Team Telecom processes for foreign ownership review. The Bureau has enhanced public safety and national security by improving submarine cable outage reporting and taking action as needed to revoke and terminate applications and authorizations by companies with Chinese government ownership that pose a national security threat. The Bureau likewise led the FCC Chairman’s and Commissioners’ participation in our national and international 5G security advocacy. The Bureau represented and led the Commission’s international advocacy before regional and international organizations, including negotiation of the international treaty on radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbit use at the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference, and welcoming over 1,000 international visitors from 106 countries through the International Visitor’s Program. Office of Engineering and Technology “As the pace of innovation has quickened, resolving challenging engineering issues is even more crucial to meeting the FCC’s strategic objectives when reallocating spectrum for next generation wireless services and unleashing unprecedented amounts of spectrum for unlicensed use.” – Ronald T. Repasi, Acting Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology The Office’s presentation to the Commissioners described the breadth of work done by OET over the past four years and recognized the dedication of its 76-person staff. OET highlighted its work to make an unprecedented amount of spectrum available for unlicensed uses, such as Wi-Fi, and to provide analysis in aid of the Commission’s effort to make spectrum available for 5G and other advanced licensed wireless services. The Office also highlighted how it expanded its experimental licensing program to promote cutting-edge innovation and ensured that its equipment authorization program continues to support fast-paced product development in an era of rapid technological change. It also noted how recent investments in equipment and personnel will ensure that it can continue to provide engineering expertise for the American people. Office of Economics and Analytics “Since its launch two years ago, OEA has realized its founding vision to ensure that FCC policy is consistently informed and supported with sound economics and data.” – Giulia McHenry, Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics The presentation provided an overview of OEA, the newest Office at the FCC, and summarized the work of its dedicated staff. The Office has provided independent economic analysis and review for more than 450 Commission items since its launch. It has implemented large data collections, covering a range of subjects including broadband deployment, supply chain, and inmate calling. OEA is also implementing new, wide-ranging Federal data governance mandates agencywide. Additionally, the presentation highlighted the Auction Division’s groundbreaking work in making available wireless spectrum for 5G services, generating billions of dollars for the federal government, and holding reverse auctions to distribute support for the deployment of rural broadband. Finally, OEA noted that it is reviving the tradition of visionary, long-term policy research at the FCC. The presentations, video of this meeting, and Chairman and Commissioner statements will be available and archived at: https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/events/2021/01/january-2021-open-commission-meeting. ### Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 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).