WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, released the following statement regarding service and other rules for the upcoming auction of frequencies by the Federal Communications Commission:

“The upcoming auction for the wireless frequencies that will be vacated by television broadcasters as part of the digital television transition provides a rare chance for policymakers to promote greater competition for wireless services and additional choices for broadband service.I have repeatedly advocated that the FCC should seize the opportunity in the upcoming auction to foster greater innovation for wireless devices and applications. The Commission can achieve these goals by insisting on service rules for auction winners that obligate them to permit consumers to use non-interfering devices of their choice in conjunction with their wireless service and also to allow entrepreneurs to offer an array of new wireless applications directly to consumers.

“Recent statements to the media by FCC Chairman Martin with respect to these issues are encouraging. It appears that Chairman Martin is poised to propose that certain auction winners should be required to permit unaffiliated content providers to offer services and applications to wireless consumers and for manufacturers to innovate and offer cutting-edge wireless devices in the marketplace for consumers to use with their service.

“While details are not yet available regarding the specific proposals he plans to make to his FCC colleagues, I commend Chairman Martin for his recent statements, which recognize that the wireless marketplace is insufficiently competitive and innovative today due to current market structures and practice. By suggesting that the FCC take action in the upcoming auction to remedy this situation by requiring greater openness and freedom for innovators in wireless services and devices gives hope to consumers and technology entrepreneurs alike. I encourage him to maximize the prospects for greater competition, consumer choice, and broadband deployment in his proposal.

“I am eager to learn the fine points of the Chairman’s proposal on these issues, as well as how and whether the Chairman addresses a public-private partnership for public safety purposes, open access principles, build-out requirements, the overall band plan, as well as the size of the geographic markets used for licensing. As always, I look forward to working with him and his FCC colleagues as they finalize rules for this important auction.”