Snowe Urges FCC to Address Pending Spectrum Policy Rulemaking Proceedings

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), in a letter, urged Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski to address pending spectrum policy rulemaking proceedings as part of its ongoing effort to establish a comprehensive, broadband plan for the nation. As a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Senator Snowe believes efficient spectrum use coupled with strong and effective spectrum management are essential to achieving the long-term telecommunication goals of the country.

"One of the more prominent issues involved in the FCC's examination of spectrum policy is broadcasters' use of spectrum," wrote Senator Snowe. "While I don't disagree that all options should be on the table as the Commission evaluates spectrum policy, it is imperative that the FCC first clear the table of outstanding spectrum-related items that have lingered at the Commission before extensively exploring other avenues. Concluding these unresolved items could dictate what additional steps the FCC should investigate….. and provide a much quicker time frame to rolling out additional spectrum for commercial wireless broadband services"

Senator Snowe continued, "The reallocation of spectrum alone will not solve the problem of a looming spectrum crisis. The solution will require a concerted effort by all decision makers and spectrum users--commercial and government--that includes spectrum reallocation, technical innovation such as MIMO, smart antennas, and cognitive radio, as well as robust spectrum management policy, which includes spectrum reuse and sharing, and fiber backhaul investment."

Last year, Senators Kerry (D-Mass.) and Snowe introduced, S.649, the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act, legislation requiring a thorough inventory of available radio spectrum managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The bill represents a first step in developing proper spectrum policy reform in order to meet the future spectrum needs of all users--commercial, federal, and military. In order to free up additional spectrum, it is important that decision makers at the FCC, NTIA, and Congress have a much clearer, more detailed, and up-to-date understanding of how spectrum is currently being used and by whom, which such inventory would provide.

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