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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:

October
19,
2011 Neil
Grace,
(202)
418-0506

Email: Neil.Grace@fcc.gov

NEW FCC INFOGRAPHIC "SPEC IT OUT!" ILLUSTRATES CONSUMER

IMPACT OF MOBILE BROADBAND EXPLOSION AND POTENTIAL

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARY INCENTIVE AUCTIONS ON U.S. JOB

CREATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH & INNOVATION

Washington, D.C. (October 19, 2011) The Federal Communications Commission today released a new
infographic, titled "Spec it Out!", to illustrate the critical role of spectrum in the lives of hundreds of millions
of Americans who increasingly adopt mobile broadband through smartphones and tablets. The infographic
also illustrates the current mobile explosion and, consequently, the looming spectrum crunch whereby demand
for spectrum is rapidly outstripping supply. Failure to free up more spectrum for mobile broadband will stifle
innovation and result in higher prices for consumers and growing network congestion.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE INFOGRAPHIC

: http://transition.fcc.gov/infographics/spec-it-out.pdf">PDF, http://transition.fcc.gov/infographics/spec-it-out.jpg">JPG or http://transition.fcc.gov/infographics/spec-it-out.png">PNG.

Speaking at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last week, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said:

"The
spectrum crunch is the single biggest threat to one of the most promising parts of our economy. There's much
we need to do to free up spectrum for mobile broadband, but the single biggest step is voluntary incentive
auctions.

"Under this proposal from our National Broadband Plan, spectrum licensees like broadcasters could
voluntarily contribute underused spectrum to an auction, in exchange for a share of the proceeds from the
auction. It's an incentive-based approach, grounded in strong free-market principles, that would free up large
blocks of beachfront spectrum for mobile broadband while preserving a strong and healthy TV business, and
generating $25 billion in potential deficit reduction, plus at least ten times that in economic benefits.

"This proposal enjoys broad and bipartisan support. Companies representing a trillion dollars in revenue have
supported it, from mobile to tech to consumer electronics. More than 110 of the nation's leading economists
have endorsed it, including Nobel Prize winners and former members of both Republican and Democratic
administrations. It's also won the support of a number of major TV networks and station owners that
recognize that these auctions would be a win-win."

To learn more about spectrum, visit http://www.fcc.gov/">www.fcc.gov or follow us on Twitter @FCC.

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