STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER JESSICA ROSENWORCEL
Re: Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services H Block—Implementing Section 6401 of the 
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 Related to the 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-
2000 MHz Bands, WT Docket No. 12-357
We are on the cusp of a small but mighty tale of spectrum success.
The possibilities for the 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz spectrum bands—known as the 
PCS H Block—have long been undermined by interference concerns.  But we are now poised to finally 
bring this 10 megahertz of prize spectrum to market.  
The H Block has quite a history.  It features more than a few fits and starts.  The lower portion of
the H Block started life as part of the unlicensed PCS band back when the rest of the PCS spectrum was 
auctioned in 1994.  To put this in context, think back to your first wireless phone.  The odds are it 
probably operated on PCS spectrum.  Ten years after the first PCS auction, the Commission turned to the 
H Block, and sought to auction it, too.  But the interference potential was too great and the time was not 
right.  Four years later, the Commission again tried to tee up the H Block for auction. Yet once more, 
efforts to limit interference hindered efforts to auction this spectrum.
Another four years down the road, Congress passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation 
Act.  In it, Congress identified 65 megahertz of spectrum for auction, including the H Block.  Moreover, 
Congress directed that the revenue from this spectrum serve as a down payment toward a nationwide, 
interoperable public safety broadband network—known as the First Responder Network Authority.  
In fact, the H Block is unique among the 65 megahertz identified by Congress.  It is the only 
specifically identified spectrum in the law that is paired and not already in use by federal agencies.  That 
distinction is critical.  It means that revenue from the H Block will not be burdened by having to pay 
upfront for the relocation of federal users.  That means that the H Block is our best chance to provide 
significant funding for our first responders before we get started on another kind of auction—incentive 
auctions.  
So after an act of Congress, leaps forward in technology, and hard work by the Commission staff 
to resolve longstanding interference concerns, we can finally auction the H Block for commercial use.  
The only question is when.  In the end, I hope our timing is guided by good spectrum policy—and 
considers how we increase demand for this slice of our airwaves.  After all, support for our nation’s first 
responders depends on it.  
Thank you to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for your efforts.  I am pleased to support 
this Report and Order.