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NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D. C. 20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

September 12, 2012
Neil Grace, 202-418-0506
Email: neil.grace@fcc.gov

FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI ANNOUNCES PLANS TO INITIATE

FORMAL STEPS ON SPECTRUM RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE

PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL OF ADVISORS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (PCAST)

Today, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski joined PCAST members Eric Schmidt and Mark Gorenberg
at Stanford University. Specifically, he announced that the FCC will, by the end of the year, initiate
formal steps to implement the key recommendations of the PCAST report, including small cell use in the
3.5 GHz band. Freeing up spectrum in this band will add 100 megahertz to our nation’s wireless
broadband networks.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, “Today’s iPhone announcement and last week’s release of the
new Kindle Fire, Windows 8/Nokia Phone, and Droid RAZR by Google/Motorola offer the latest
evidence that, over the past few years, the U.S. has regained global leadership in key areas of
communications technology. These high-performance devices, and the demands they place on our
broadband networks, underscore a critical challenge.”
“Today, I announce the FCC will initiate formal steps by the end of the year to implement key
recommendations of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report around
freeing up spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band. This action will represent a major innovation in spectrum policy
that will in turn enable innovations in wireless applications throughout the economy, including energy,
healthcare, education, and other uses yet to be discovered.”
-FCC-

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