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 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  ROBERT  M.  McDOWELL 
 RE:  Service  Rules  for  the  698-  746,  747-  762  and  777-  792  MHz  Bands;  Revision  of  the  Commission’s  Rules  to  Ensure  Compatibility  with  Enhanced  911  Emergency  Calling  Systems;  Section  68.4(  a) 
 of  the  Commission’s  Rules  Governing  Hearing  Aid-  Compatible  Telephones  (WT  Docket  Nos.  06-  150,  01-  309,  and  CC  Docket  No.  94-  102). 


 The  Digital  Television  Transition  and  Public  Safety  Act  of  2005  (the  DTV  Act)  makes  several  fundamental  changes  in  the  statutory  regime  applicable  to  the  700  MHz  band  spectrum.  Perhaps  most 
 importantly,  the  DTV  Act  establishes  a  hard  deadline  of  February  17,  2009,  for  the  cessation  of  analog  broadcasting  in  this  spectrum.  The  DTV  Act  also  requires  the  Commission  to  begin  the  auction  for  the 
 licenses  associated  with  the  recovered  analog  spectrum  no  later  than  January  28,  2008,  and  to  deposit  the  auction  proceeds  no  later  than  June  30,  2008. 


 Given  these  congressional  mandates,  we  have  our  work  cut  out  for  us.  In  this  regard,  I  thank  the  Wireless  Bureau  for  preparing  this  well-  written,  comprehensive  notice,  which  will  bolster  our  ability  to 
 complete  our  work  expeditiously.  And,  I  thank  the  Chairman  for  bringing  this  item  to  us  today.  I  am  delighted  that  wireless  licensees  and  potential  licensees  –  whether  public  safety  or  commercial  –  are  now 
 in  a  position  to  finalize  plans  for  deploying  in  this  “prime  real  estate.”  I  look  forward  to  actively  engaging  with  my  colleagues,  and  all  interested  parties,  in  the  important  effort  to  reexamine  and  finalize 
 the  service  rules  for  the  700  MHz  commercial  band,  including  issues  relating  to  E911  deployment,  hearing  aid  compatibility  and  service  to  tribal  areas. 
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