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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:
December 11, 2012
Justin Cole, 202-418-8191
Email: justin.cole@fcc.gov

Commission Announces the Adoption of AWS-4 Order and H Block NPRM

Statement from Tammy Sun, FCC Director of Communications

Today the Commission took two actions significantly advancing the President’s goal of freeing 
up 500 MHz of spectrum for broadband by 2020.
These actions will help meet skyrocketing consumer demand and promote private investment, 
innovation, and competition, while unlocking billions of dollars of value.
The Commission unanimously approved freeing up 40 MHz of underutilized satellite spectrum 
for land-based mobile broadband, including 4G LTE. We accomplished this by removing 
regulatory barriers that limited this spectrum to satellite use. Carefully balanced technical 
requirements will unlock tremendous value in both the AWS-4 band and the 10 MHz H Block, 
which Congress directed us to auction.
The Commission also unanimously approved a proposal setting the stage for an auction of the H 
Block in 2013. Proceeds from this auction will help fund a nationwide Public Safety Network 
for our first responders and reduce the deficit.
-FCC-
News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found
on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.

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