Boxer Applauds FCC for Taking Next Steps on Wireless Broadband Deployment
May 15, 2003

For More Information:
David Sandretti,
(202) 224 - 8120


Washington, DC - Today, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) issued the following
statement applauding FCC Chairman Michael Powell for taking the next steps to
implement wireless broadband deployment. On Thursday, Powell officially
announced a proposal for the FCC to implement a larger set-aside of broadcast
spectrum for unlicensed wireless devices. Earlier this year, Senator Boxer and
Senator George Allen (R-VA) introduced the Jumpstart Broadband Act to request
just such an allocation.

Senator Boxer said, "Technologies such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and
other such devices can jumpstart our high-tech industry in Silicon Valley.
Senator Allen and I wanted to be ahead of the curve, so we introduced the
Jumpstart Broadband Act to create more spectrum space for the new services these
technologies will provide.

Efforts at the FCC to make more spectrum available for both licensed and
unlicensed use will increase choices for consumers and lower competition for
competitive broadband service providers. It means schools will be able to
connect classrooms the Internet without knocking down walls, and it means
companies will be able to offer their customers the advantages of high-speed
pipelines to the Internet.

I commend the FCC for moving quickly to implement the allocation of spectrum
our legislation requested."

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