STATEMENT OF
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN JESSICA ROSENWORCEL

Re:	Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band, WT Docket 02-55, Order (April 22, 2021)

It may not seem that long ago, but 2004 was a different time when it comes to technology.  The mobile phone market was dominated by flip phones and the digital television transition was still years away.  The Federal Communications Commission was laying the groundwork for its very first 3G spectrum auction—which was exciting.  In 2004 the agency also began vitally important work to prevent interference on public safety systems from new commercial wireless uses.  

This last effort—known formally as the 800 MHz rebanding program—is finally coming to an end.  As a result, public safety, critical infrastructure, and other 800 MHz licensees can operate in a reconfigured band free of the interference that plagued first responders’ mission-critical communications before the FCC began this process.

As we look to the future of spectrum policy, I’m proud to bring the 800 MHz rebanding chapter to a close.  There are too many people to name who participated in writing this spectrum history, but I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to recognize Michael Wilhem for his contribution.  He was there at the start in 2004 and he is here at the end in 2021.  He deserves a special thank you for his public service, which has made it possible for both first responders and consumers to use these airwaves without interference.  We are also grateful to all the other agency staff who helped us with this decision today, including John Evanoff, Lisa Fowlkes, David Furth, Brian Marenco, Roberto Mussenden, and Renee Roland from the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau; Deborah Broderson, David Horowitz, and Bill Richardson from the Office of General Counsel; Emily Talaga from the Office of Economics and Analytics; and Katherine Nevitt, Roger Noel, and Catherine Schroeder from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.