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 STATEMENT  OF  CHAIRMAN  MICHAEL  K.  POWELL 
 Re:  Unlicensed  Operation  in  the  Band  3650-  3700  MHz;  Additional  Spectrum  for  Unlicensed  Devices  Below  900  MHz  and  in  the  3  GHz  Band;  Amendment  of  the 
 Commission’s  Rules  with  Regard  to  the  3650-  3700  MHz  Government  Transfer  Band,  ET  Docket  Nos.  04-  151,  02-  380  and  98-  237 


 There  has  been  tremendous  progress  in  the  past  few  years  in  the  development  of  smart/  cognitive  radio  technologies.  This  Notice  of  Proposed  Rulemaking  takes  a  hard 
 look  at  50  MHz  of  spectrum  in  the  3650-  3700  MHz  band  which  has  the  potential  to  make  use  of  these  technologies  to  promote  more  efficient  use  of  spectrum  and  to  provide  new 
 and  advanced  telecommunications  services  and  technologies  to  all  Americans.  With  protected  earth  stations  primarily  on  the  coasts,  this  band  appears  particularly  promising 
 for  extending  broadband  service  in  rural  areas,  such  as  by  wireless  internet  service  providers.  Some  of  these  uses  could  potentially  complement  unlicensed  operations  in 
 other  bands,  such  as  2.4  and  5.8  GHz  that  could  allow  greater  flexibility  and  continuity  in  the  creation  of  devices  for  consumers.  This  may  be  another  giant  step  in  our  effort  to 
 bring  affordable  broadband  services  to  all  Americans. 


 We  tentatively  conclude  that  we  should  allow  unlicensed  operations  with  smart  radio  techniques  with  fixed  satellite  services  in  these  bands.  To  ensure  that  we  have  the 
 ability  to  move  forward  on  whatever  approaches  will  best  achieve  our  goals  regarding  enhanced  services,  we  welcome  consideration  of  alternative  proposals  and  approaches 
 that  could  potentially  allow  the  use  of  both  unlicensed  and  licensed  terrestrial  services. 
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