STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re: Fixed and Mobile Services in the Mobile Satellite Service Bands at 1525-1559 MHz 
and 1626.5-1660.5 MHz, 1610-1626.5 MHz and 2483.5-2500 MHz, and 2000-2020 
MHz and 2180-2200 MHz, ET Docket No. 10-142.
On June 28th, President Obama released a memorandum entitled “Unleashing the 
Wireless Broadband Revolution.”  That Memorandum asserts that our Nation’s exponential 
increase in the demand for wireless services will likely outpace the supply of spectrum currently 
allocated.  It concludes that to address this looming spectrum shortage, we should promote an 
environment where innovation thrives, and we should take steps to unlock the value of otherwise 
underutilized spectrum.  
I agree with the President, and that is why I enthusiastically support the Commission’s 
decision to initiate this proceeding. As the item explains, if we make prudent changes to some of 
the Commission’s policies with regard to Mobile Satellite Services, we can create incentives for 
the wireless industry to find innovative ways to make greater use of the spectrum that we had 
initially allocated for MSS services.  By promoting this innovation, we will help wireless carriers 
meet the unyielding consumer demand for wireless spectrum.  
I am pleased that the item takes a careful approach. In its proposal to subject MSS 
licensees to the Commission’s secondary market spectrum leasing policies, the item wisely 
recognizes that not all spectrum leasing policies may be suitable for all MSS licensees, 
particularly those MSS licensees that have also deployed Ancillary Terrestrial Component 
services.  The item also acknowledges that making MSS spectrum available through spectrum 
lease arrangements could raise some competition concerns.  Accordingly, the item properly 
solicits input on the competitive factors the Commission should consider when evaluating a 
spectrum leasing arrangement between a MSS licensee and a wireless carrier.  
I am also pleased that the Notice of Inquiry underscores the importance of maintaining 
MSS to provide services for the needs of public safety and federal government agencies, for rural 
areas, and for those areas that have suffered severe damage during natural disasters. The 
Commission must ensure that these communications needs continue to be met. 
I thank the staffs of the International Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and 
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for presenting us with this thoughtful item.  Indeed, over 
the past few months, the Commission staff has done a commendable job in meeting the timelines 
for the key broadband action items for this year.  I believe it is prudent that the Commission 
continue to consider the recommendations in the Plan in a timely manner.  This is especially 
important in the wireless arena due to the increasing demand for wireless services.  In particular, 
the Commission should timely conclude its consultation with NTIA on the prospect of pairing the 
AWS-3 spectrum.  Should that inquiry result in the conclusion that pairing is not a strong 
possibility, we should proceed in our adoption of final rules by year end so that we can auction 
that spectrum next year.