Federal Communications Commission FCC 11-52
STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS
Re: Reexamination of Roaming Obligations of Commercial Mobile Radio Service 
Providers and Other Providers of Mobile Data Services, WT Docket No. 05-265
Today’s action on data roaming advances two key goals of mine and of the 
Commission’s—protecting wireless consumers and promoting sorely-needed competition in the 
wireless market. Consumer demand for mobile connectivity grows stronger by the day.  That 
demand is not limited to voice service, and neither should be the requirement to offer roaming on 
reasonable terms.  These safeguards ensure that small regional carriers can hope to compete in the 
wireless market-place while investing in their own build-out of facilities.  It means that their 
subscribers can have comparable flexibility to move about the country as customers of the 
wireless behemoths.
Our regulations must always try to keep pace with the changing technology and market 
environments.  In our new digital world, few consumers buy a mobile handset exclusively for 
voice telephony services.  Americans in every corner of the land rely on their smartphones to stay 
connected through e-mail, social media and other applications—whether for business reasons or 
for communicating with family and friends.  What good is that smartphone if it can’t be used 
when a subscriber is roaming across the county or across the country?  Our regulations must 
reflect today’s reality and not make artificial distinctions between voice and data 
telecommunications.
I commend the Chairman for bringing this proceeding to resolution.  And of course, I 
thank the staff of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for their tireless work on the item.  I 
would have supported an item that gave carriers the right to negotiate roaming arrangements at 
“just and reasonable” rates as opposed to the “commercially reasonable” standard we adopt here.  
I am confident, however, that vigorous application of today’s Order can and should lead to much 
the same result—ensuring that consumers, no matter where they live or what carrier they choose, 
can use mobile technology to the fullest extent possible.