OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
March 14, 2018
The Honorable Robert J. Wittman
U.S. House of Representatives
2055 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Wittman:
Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's review of mid-band spectrum in
the 3550-3700 MHz band (3.5 GHz band) and the 3700-4200 MHz band (3.7 GHz band). I share
your concern of promoting continued investment in the band by a variety of stakeholders,
including by wireless Internet service providers, that serve the needs of rural communities.
During my participation in Virginia's First District's Rural Broadband Task Force
Summit with you in October, I was encouraged by the insightful dialogue among stakeholders on
obstacles and solutions to providing broadband access to rural Virginians-including the need
for more commercial, terrestrial access to mid-band spectrum. To that end, I thank you for the
invitation to participate in the event.
Commissioner O'Rielly has been heading up the Commission's efforts to review the 3.5
GHz band, including through the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to consider
certain adjustments to existing rules. I look forward to sharing your concerns with him as we
work to reexamine the existing rules, including rules to expand access to licensed spectrum in the
3.5 GHz band.
Regarding the 3.7 GHz band, the Comission issued a Notice of Inquiry last summer on
how that band (among others) could be put to its best use. I intend to propose the next steps
needed to make that band available for commercial, terrestrial use in the coming months.
I appreciate your interest in bringing broadband to unserved and underserved
communities. Your views will be entered into the record of the current 3.5 GHz rulemaking
proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be
of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
?S.
V,4& A4I/.