Chairman Pai: Additional Spectrum Will Enable Quicker Disaster Response Efforts

Last week, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai issued a keynote address at the first-ever Mobile World Congress Americans in San Francisco. Chairman Pai discussed the important role the FCC plays in disaster response efforts, specifically monitoring the status of communications networks in affected areas. Chairman Pai said that the damage caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma "would have been a lot worse if it weren't for wireless communications."

Although wireless communications networks during these two hurricanes were much more resilient than in some previous disasters, Chairman Pai says that unleashing licensed and unlicensed spectrum across low-, mid-, and high-bands will enable first responders to quickly assist with recovery and restoration efforts. Additional spectrum will help deploy 5G wireless technology which will create three million jobs and $500 in economic activity. But most importantly, when horrible disasters occur, 5G technology and robust wireless networks will enable communication between first responders and affected residents.

Thank you to the brave first responders during these disasters!