Federal Communications Commission	FCC 21-100

STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER GEOFFREY STARKS 
 
Re: 	The Commission Begins the Process for Authorizing 6 GHz Band Automated Frequency Coordination Systems; ET Docket No. 21-352.
Last year, after an exhaustive legal and technical analysis, the Commission unanimously took the unprecedented step of making 1200 megahertz in the 6 GHz band available for unlicensed use.  Our decision has already sparked a wave of low-power products utilizing the band indoors, offering increased Wi-Fi speeds that benefit consumers and businesses that rely on unlicensed spectrum for their homes and operations.  These developments are particularly important for our economic growth and to address the digital divide that continues for so many Americans.
	This item is another step towards fully unleashing the potential of the 6 GHz band, by beginning the process of authorizing Automated Frequency Control (AFC) system operators to offer their services to parties seeking to operate in certain portions of the 6 GHz band outdoors at standard power levels.  Through such AFC systems, standard power unlicensed devices will be able to coexist in the 6 GHz band with incumbent fixed microwave links and radio astronomy observatories.  I look forward to reviewing the applications and continuing our progress in making unlicensed spectrum available on a non-interference basis.

	Thank you to the staff of the Office of Engineering and Technology for their hard work on this item.