Commission Document

• Print
• Email

SPOKEN STATEMENT

OF

COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. MCDOWELL

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

BEFORE THE

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON 

COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY

OVERSIGHT 

OF THE

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Keeping the New Broadband Spectrum Law on Track

DECEMBER 12, 2012

Thank you Chairman Walden, Ranking Member Eshoo and Members of the 
Subcommittee for inviting us to appear before you today. 
I share your goals of putting more spectrum into the hands of American consumers while 
raising funds for the Treasury and a nationwide broadband public safety network.
It is important for all of us to remember that the FCC is at the earliest stages of 
developing rules to implement Congress’s will regarding incentive auctions – auctions that will 
literally be the most complex in world history.  Initial comments are not even due until next 
month.  We will have to cull through a plethora of ideas and new questions we did not 
contemplate when we launched the rulemaking last September.  Consequently, it would be 
premature for me to offer a final opinion on where the Commission should go with new auction 
rules until it is time for us to vote on them.

---

Nonetheless, being the only commissioner before you today who is also a veteran of the 
two of the largest spectrum auctions in American history, as well as the digital television 
transition, I have learned a lot through trial and error.  In our conversation today, I hope I can 
help illuminate a path forward based on past successes and failures.
My entire testimony could be boiled down to one sentence: the FCC should approach 
these auctions with simplicity, humility and regulatory restraint.
Through intelligently designed band plans and auction and service rules we can provide 
opportunities for all stakeholders - and potential new entrants - to successfully participate in the 
auctions.  
Similarly, we should avoid micromanaging the wireless market through unnecessary 
rules that would deter bidders and reduce auction revenue.  The goal of maximizing revenue is 
especially important here due to the Congressional mandate that part of the auction proceeds 
fund the construction of the new nationwide public safety network.
Furthermore, we should keep in mind that technology advances constantly, and what may 
seem impossible to achieve today may be routine tomorrow.  Let’s not underestimate market 
innovation; or worse: let’s not inadvertently preempt it.
Beyond the spectrum auctions, American policymakers should continue their vigilance 
against encroachments upon Internet freedom, especially internationally.  Chairman 
Genachowski and I worked together with the rest of the U.S. delegation in Dubai last week to 
prevent the International Telecommunication Union from expanding its reach into the Internet’s 
complex ecosystem.  That treaty negotiation is still underway, but I am happy to answer any 
questions you may have about it.  And I would like to thank this Committee for its unanimous 

---

and bipartisan resolution opposing even the smallest of international encroachments on Internet 
freedom. 
In the meantime, I hope we could all share a New Year’s resolution to close the Title II 
docket.  My hopes may not be realized, but ending this proceeding would send a strong signal 
around the globe that the U.S. opposes subjecting the Internet to late 19th Century industrial 
policy.
Instead of new regulation in this space, we should revive a concept I proposed nearly five 
years ago – and that is to use the tried and true multi-stakeholder model to resolve alleged anti-
competitive conduct that would threaten the open Internet.  Supported by the backstop of 
existing antitrust and consumer protection laws, the multi-stakeholder model could spotlight 
market failures and cure them more quickly – and more effectively – than antiquated telephone 
laws.  If this concept is good enough for us to preach abroad, shouldn’t we practice it at home?
Thank you and I look forward to your questions.

---