Federal Communications Commission FCC 12-20 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL Re: Amendment of Parts 1 and 22 of the Commission’s Rules with Regard to the Cellular Service, Including Changes in Licensing of Unserved Area; Amendment of the Commission’s Rules with Regard to Relocation of Part 24 to Part 2; Interim Restrictions and Procedures for Cellular Service Applications, WT Docket No. 12-40, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order (FCC 12-20). Today we seek comment on a comprehensive proposal to make the Commission’s cellular service rules consistent with those of virtually all other commercial wireless services. Updating these rules will offer greater flexibility to construct and operate facilities within a larger geographic area and commence operations without prior Commission approval, thereby reducing regulatory requirements. Adopted decades ago, the current site-based cellular licensing rules are now obsolete and create unnecessary burdens for both licensees and Commission staff. Given our aim to modernize and streamline our licensing processes and to create parity among competing mobile providers, I am pleased to support this notice and associated order. The notice is detailed and broad in scope, setting forth an array of ideas. The order suspending certain filings associated with cellular licensing will permit the orderly and effective resolution of the fundamental changes and issues raised today. I thank the Chairman for bringing these matters forward, as well as the talented team in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for your thoughtful, creative work. I look forward to engaging with interested stakeholders to learn more about the pros and cons of this proposal.