CTIA Statement After the FCC’s April Open Meeting

After the FCC’s April Open Meeting, I released the following statement on the Innovation in the Television Bands Report and Order:

“Today’s adoption of the Innovation in the Television Bands Report and Order by the FCC marks another important step to freeing up valuable spectrum so the U.S. wireless industry may meet Americans’ demand for mobile broadband services. By allowing broadcasters to share channels, the FCC is making TV spectrum license holders more efficient users of this finite resource. In turn, consumers will benefit as wireless providers will have an opportunity to purchase the repacked spectrum for billions at auction.”

In response to today’s action by the FCC on Universal Service Fund, CTIA-The Wireless Association’s Assistant Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Scott Bergmann said:

“Today, the FCC began the process of reforming the way it collects money for the Universal Service Fund. Program costs are projected to be approximately $9 billion this year alone, so it’s important the burden of paying for it is distributed fairly. Right now, roughly 44 percent of the contribution burden falls on wireless providers and their customers. CTIA remains committed to working with the Commission to craft a revised USF contribution system that is fair, simple and efficient.”