Federal Communications Commission	FCC 25-24
STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN BRENDAN CARR

Re: 	Lower 37 GHz Band; Use of Spectrum Bands Above 24 GHz for Mobile Radio Services, Report and Order, Sixth Report and Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, WT Docket No. 24-243, GN Docket No. 14-177 (April 28, 2025). 

	As you saw with the first item on our agenda today and with the past two open meetings, the Commission has been focused on freeing up more spectrum for more intensive use.  At our January meeting, we kickstarted the process for auctioning AWS-3 spectrum licenses, which have sat in inventory for years.  We also started the process of opening up additional portions of the C-band.  This month, we’re bringing a spectrum focus as well.  Earlier today, we advanced a new spectrum sharing regime that could enable faster satellite broadband services.
There’s a good reason for prioritizing spectrum early on.  Freeing up spectrum for commercial use drives down prices for consumers, brings families across the digital divide, and promotes America’s national security.
	With our decision here we look to take another step forward on spectrum—this time in the 37 GHz band.  Specifically, we are once again exploring creative ways the FCC could unleash wireless innovation in this underutilized swath of spectrum.  The lower 37 GHz band can be used to support services like fixed wireless broadband and the Internet of Things.
	But there are challenges.  The lower 37 GHz band is a shared band.  Both government and commercial entities are allowed to operate in it, and there are no clear rules of the road for sharing.  This lack of clarity prevents companies from moving forward with investments and deployments.  
This proceeding can fix that by establishing rules for commercial fixed wireless on a shared basis with federal users.  If we succeed, this new licensing framework could unlock 600 MHz of spectrum for new and more intensive commercial services—laying the foundation for massive innovation and growth.
	Thank you to Faraz Ahmed, Baron Chan, Barbara Esbin, Ethan Jeans, John Schauble, and Catherine Schroeder in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for their work on this item.