STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER JESSICA ROSENWORCEL
Re:  Auctions of Upper Microwave Flexible Use Licenses for Next-Generation Wireless Services; 
Comment Sought on Competitive Bidding Procedures for Auctions 101 (28 GHz) and 102 (24 
GHz); Bidding in Auction 101 Scheduled to Begin November 14, 2018, AU Docket No. 18-85.
Earlier this year, as country after country announced plans to hold auctions for fifth generation—
or 5G—wireless, I wrote in TechCrunch that the United States should be first.  If our experience with 
wireless technology cycles has shown us anything, it is that being there in the beginning matters.  After 
trailing our European counterparts in the roll-out of 3G mobile services we were the first to deploy the 
next generation—4G.  That leadership paid dividends.  An entire ecosystem of devices, operating 
systems, and services grew up around our networks and this mobile activity.
Of course, we can’t rest on our laurels.  That is why it is troubling that this agency has watched as 
South Korea, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Romania have already announced plans for 
5G auctions.  China also has big plans in the works with significant amounts of mid-band and high-band 
spectrum already identified for 5G.  
Today, thankfully, this agency takes steps to put ourselves back in the running.  I’m glad my 
colleagues are ready to get back on track.  Today we schedule our first 5G auction and finally get out of 
the starting gate.  We start with the 28 GHz band and follow with the 24 GHz band.  This is real progress.  
However, from here on out we need to do more than just join the pack with an auction in 2018.  If 
we want to lead, we need a pipeline of both millimeter wave and mid-band spectrum for 5G.  That means 
making transparent our plans for every subsequent auction.  We can do this with something simple: a 
calendar.  Let’s publish a calendar that states clearly to the entire wireless ecosystem—from existing 
providers to new spectrum interests to manufacturers and consumers—just when and how the FCC will 
auction new airwaves to support 5G services.  That is what leadership entails.  That is what we need to 
do.