STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
RE: Investigation of the Spectrum Requirements for Advanced Medical Technologies, ET 
Docket No. 06-135; Amendment of Parts 2 and 95 of the Commission’s Rules to 
Establish the Medical Device Radiocommunication Service at 401-402 and 405-406 
MHz, RM-11271; DexCom, Inc., Request for Waiver of the Frequency Monitoring 
Requirements of the Medical Implant Communications Service Rules, ET Docket  No. 
05-213; Biotronik, Inc., Request for Waiver of the Frequency Monitoring 
Requirements of the Medical Implant Communications Service Rules, ET Docket No. 
03-92
It is with great pleasure that I vote to approve this order, which establishes a new Medical 
Device Radio Communications Service and provides five megahertz of contiguous spectrum to 
power advanced diagnostic and therapeutic wireless devices.  Our action today provides direct 
help to millions of people suffering from a variety of medical conditions such as diabetes, 
Parkinson’s disease, depression and cardiac ailments, to name a few.    
 I am excited about the notices of proposed rulemaking that will result from our decision 
in this proceeding.  The Alfred Mann Foundation has undertaken pioneering research that 
harnesses wireless technology to provide medical treatment and therapy to patients suffering from 
paralysis.  In addition, GE Medical Systems is developing advanced body sensing technologies 
that would allow continuous patient monitoring whether the patient is located within or outside of 
a hospital setting.  Similarly worthwhile is the proposal submitted by ON Semiconductor, which 
has the potential to deliver new and innovative services to the hearing impaired community.  I am 
pleased that we will consider moving forward to develop a record through a notice of proposed 
rulemaking to more fully analyze the relevant issues.  
Many thanks to our team in the Office of Engineering and Technology, and our 
colleagues at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, for your 
dedication and diligence.  I look forward to learning about future scientific breakthroughs that 
result from your work, that of the private sector, as well as the important action taken by the 
Commission today.