STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS Re: Promoting More Efficient Use of Spectrum Through Dynamic Spectrum Use Technologies, ET Docket No. 10-237, Notice of Inquiry; Promoting Expanded Opportunities for Radio Experimentation and Market Studies under Part 5 of the Commission’s Rules and Streamlining Other Related Rules, ET Docket No. 10-236, 2006 Biennial Review of Telecommunications Regulations—Part 2 Administered by the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET), ET Docket No. 06-105, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Today we launch two important proceedings aimed at maximizing the power and opportunity of our public spectrum resource. The demand for spectrum, as we all know, has never been greater. Unfortunately the laws of physics prevent us from being able to create more of this finite resource. That said, even as we look to free up existing spectrum to meet the needs for wireless broadband, we can and should explore ways to make more dynamic and opportunistic use of the spectrum we have. Given the technology breakthroughs I have witnessed over nearly a decade here at the Commission, I am a strong believer in the creative power of spectrum engineers and innovators—both inside and outside the agency—to help us use our spectrum resource more intensively and efficiently. We need hear from these experts as we move forward with our Notice of Inquiry—making sure we have a complete picture of the dynamic spectrum access tools available and doing what we can do to encourage their development and use. We also propose today much-need improvements to our system for spectrum experimentation in a separate Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Many of you have heard my not infrequent exhortations on the need to do more to encourage research and development in this country in order to ensure America’s going-forward global competitiveness. Today we make concrete proposals that do just that. We propose to broaden experimental research authorizations for qualified academic and research institutions to afford them greater opportunities to design and implement experiments without the burdens of getting pre-approval each and every time. In a similar vein, we seek to create innovation zones for experimentation that would allow innovators greater flexibility to conduct and modify their spectrum experiments. Nowhere is the potential for RF innovation more exciting than in the area of promoting advances in health care technology—whether restoring mobility to paralyzed limbs or creating advanced body sensor networks. We therefore propose to create a new medical experimental program for hospitals and other healthcare institutions, supervised in conjunction with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Over the years, our Experimental Radio Service program has been a tool that innovators have used to test new and exciting services, many of which we now take for granted. The improvements we propose today look to build upon that success. Thank you to Julie Knapp and his truly excellent team in the Office of Engineering and Technology, as well as to Ruth Milkman and her impressive Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, for bringing these items to us. I look forward to working with them, as well as my distinguished colleagues, to bring these proceedings to sound and expeditious resolution. The country can reap solid benefits from such action and help us regain competitiveness—and that means jobs—in the global economy.