STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. MCDOWELL
Re:  Fostering Innovation and Investment in the Wireless Communications Market (GN Docket No. 
09-157); A National Broadband Plan For Our Future (GN Docket No. 09-51)
I congratulate Ruth Milkman and the Wireless Bureau team, as well as Julie Knapp and the fine 
folks in the Office of Engineering & Technology, for their work on this thoughtful, comprehensive notice.  
As our inquiry acknowledges, the Commission’s policies in the wireless sector have helped encourage 
and enable the innovation that defines today’s wireless marketplace.  Likewise, policies that foster 
continued innovation have spurred capital investment in wireless and brought advanced services to 
American consumers.  
 
Furthermore, according to the Thirteenth Wireless Competition Report, released by our Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau in January, 2009, more than 95 percent of the U.S. population is able to 
choose among at least three mobile service providers, and more than 60 percent is able to choose among 
at least five competing providers.  At the same time, more competition is coming over the horizon with 
the build out of the AWS-1, 700 MHz, white spaces, and more.  Prices have been decreasing, while 
functionality, innovation and choice have been increasing.  As a result, wireless technology has 
penetrated broadly and quickly across America.       
Even at present, in the midst of the worst economy in decades – an economy that seems only to 
shrink – the communications sector, which includes wireless technologies and services, intends to plow as 
much as $80 billion this year alone into capital expenditures that are making broadband services faster, 
more available, and more affordable.  Few, if any, sectors can make such a claim.  In short, the 
phenomenal success of the wireless sector shows how well a light regulatory touch works.
While today we unanimously support the Commission seeking to develop a framework for 
analyzing wireless innovation, and the relationship between innovation and investment, where we go 
from here is not yet clear.  But where we have been is clear:  The Commission’s longstanding policy to 
allow competitive market forces, rather than command-and-control regulations, to foster the development 
of and investment in wireless networks and services has led to remarkable advances.  Thus, I hope that we 
will proceed with care; mindful that any future action we consider should aim to attract more private 
investment capital, rather than deter it.  
Finally, I want to note my preference for a more pragmatic comment period.  Thirty days from 
the release date of the inquiry – presumably thirty days from today – in my view, does not provide parties 
with adequate time to collect, organize, and submit insightful information.  While I appreciate the idea of 
including the comments filed in this proceeding in the docket associated with the National Broadband 
Plan, I am concerned that we may shortchange both inquiries by not allowing adequate time for 
meaningful input on the challenging legal and economic questions raised here.    
Again, I thank the Chairman for his leadership and staff for its work.  I look forward to working 
with you, and all interested parties, to learn more about innovation and investment in the wireless 
marketplace.