*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 59532.doc* Federal Communications Commission FCC 06- 133 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS Re: Former Nextel Communications, Inc. Upper 700 MHz Guard Band Licenses and Revisions to Part 27 of the Commission’s Rules, Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal, State and Local Public Safety Communications Requirements Through the Year 2010 (Notice of Proposed Rule Making, WT Docket Nos. 06- 169, 96- 86) I am pleased that we seek comment on proposals for the 700 MHz guard bands that could benefit public safety entities or critical infrastructure industries. To be sure, these proposals raise complicated technical questions. We need to make absolutely sure that we do not approve any changes that would reduce the overall efficacy of the guard bands, impose radio reprogramming costs on public safety entities without a plan for reimbursement, or jeopardize our ability to commence the 700 MHz auction before our January 2008 statutory deadline. But because the payoff in terms of public safety and spectral efficiency could be significant, I think it is important that we develop a full record on this issue and provide a timely decision. 1