1STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re:  Use of Spectrum Bands Above 24 GHz for Mobile Radio Services, GN Docket No. 14- 177; 
Establishing a More Flexible Framework to Facilitate Satellite Operations in the 27.5-28.35 GHz 
and 37.5-40 GHz Bands, IB Docket No. 15-256; Petition for Rulemaking of the Fixed Wireless 
Communications Coalition to Create Service Rules for the 42-43.5 GHz Band, RM-11664; 
Amendment of Parts 1, 22, 24, 27, 74, 80, 90, 95, and 101 to Establish Uniform License Renewal, 
Discontinuance of Operation, and Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum Disaggregation Rules 
and Policies for Certain Wireless Radio Services, WT Docket No. 10-112; Allocation and 
Designation of Spectrum for Fixed-Satellite Services in the 37.5-38.5 GHz, 40.5-41.5 GHz and 
48.2-50.2 GHz Frequency Bands; Allocation of Spectrum to Upgrade Fixed and Mobile 
Allocations in the 40.5-42.5 GHz Frequency Band; Allocation of Spectrum in the 46.9-47.0 GHz 
Frequency Band for Wireless Services; and Allocation of Spectrum in the 37.0-38.0 GHz and 
40.0-40.5 GHz for Government Operations, IB Docket No. 97-95
Today's NPRM is an important step toward developing a regulatory framework that should go a 
long way in facilitating Fifth Generation, or 5G, mobile services.  Most of the world’s commercial mobile
networks use frequencies below 6 gigahertz. At this point, the record indicates that there should be little 
doubt that 5G devices will incorporate some beachfront spectrum below 1 Gigahertz such as the 700 
megahertz spectrum we auctioned in 2008 and the 600 megahertz we plan to auction next year.   
But the explosive levels of consumer demand necessitate that we start looking for more spectrum 
higher up the chart.  It was once thought that frequencies above 28 gigahertz could not support mobile 
services because their wavelengths were too short and the signal propagation losses were too high.  But 
industry engineers have now turned these weaknesses into strengths by finding ways to use short 
wavelengths to build dynamic beam-forming antennas to support high capacity networks that are small 
enough to fit into handsets.  Many expect that these engineering advances will lead to 5G networks that 
will offer much higher data speeds and substantially lower latency than what commercial mobile services 
offer today.  They also expect that these networks will support sporadic, low-data-rate transmissions 
needed to deploy machine-to-machine connections, aka, the “Internet of things.” 
However, technical innovation is not the only reason why we are able to launch this rulemaking 
today.  Our spectrum management policies have evolved.  Experiences in the AWS-3 and 3.5 gigahertz 
proceedings have taught us that it is possible for new commercial users to share spectrum with federal and 
incumbent operations and that spectrum access system databases can advance such sharing.  We have also 
learned how valuable unlicensed services are. They complement licensed services, serve an ever 
increasing wide range of consumer needs and contribute billions of dollars to our economy each year.  We 
have learned that if our rules promote flexible, interoperable use of spectrum, we encourage entry by
small businesses and expedite deployment of new wireless services to consumers.  So I am pleased that 
we have initiated this rulemaking that builds on spectrum policies that have successfully spurred 
innovation and competition in the commercial wireless industry.
I commend Roger Sherman, Julie Knapp, Mindel De La Torre and their staffs at the Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and International Bureau for 
presenting such a detailed and thoughtful item.