Chairman Pai's Wireless Infrastructure Associtation Connectivity Expo Speech

[Speech] What is the Federal Communications Commission doing to help seize the opportunities of next-generation wireless networks? I strongly believe that the market, not government, should drive innovation and investment in the wireless sector. But the FCC has a role to play in promoting competition by maximizing carriers’ willingness and ability to invest in their networks, making it easier to deploy the physical infrastructure necessary for networks to function, and freeing up spectrum for wireless services.

I’ve got some good news to report on the mid-band front. In 2017, the FCC agreed to explore repurposing more mid-band spectrum, including the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz band, commonly called the “C band.” We have done a lot of work on this issue in the time since—enough so that I’m pleased to announce that at the FCC’s July meeting, I intend to put up for a vote a proposal to make more intensive use of that 500 MHz of spectrum, including seeking additional input on making it available for commercial terrestrial use.