[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 155 (Tuesday, December 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2447-E2448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4241, DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005

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                               speech of

                            HON. JOE BARTON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2005

  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the value of finding 
additional spectrum

[[Page E2448]]

below 1 GHz for unlicensed devices to meet the growing consumer demand 
for robust wireless broadband connections. As outlined in the committee 
report, the Federal Communications Commission should evaluate whether 
the presence of unlicensed devices operating in the broadcast 
television bands will produce harmful interference to television 
stations broadcasting in that band.
  Unlicensed devices that utilize spectrum below 1 GHz could be used by 
neighbors who want to communicate with each other, by wireless Internet 
providers who want to improve their coverage, or by other service 
providers who want to expand their capabilities. Unlicensed use of 
these bands has the potential to foster additional broadband 
competition, technological innovation, and economic development. In 
addition, wireless broadband devices can be deployed rapidly in areas 
where wireline communications infrastructure has been wiped away, such 
as has occurred during recent disasters. I agree that the FCC should 
act expeditiously on this proceeding, and we were therefore pleased to 
provide the FCC with a deadline to complete its work.

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