Responsible stewardship of the spectrum is a primary mission of this Commission. As part of that stewardship, I believe setting aside some portion of the spectrum for shared, unlicensed use is of demonstrable benefit. Today's Notice heralds a new generation of unlicensed devices, with great potential for innovation, economic growth, and international trade. Unlicensed devices include a growing array of products that improve the quality of life. Cordless telephones, garage door openers, security and alarm systems, electronic toys, and baby monitors are some of the most notable examples of unlicensed devices found in the home or in the car.
Unlicensed devices are also increasingly essential to businesses.
Remote meter reading, medical patient monitoring, inventory control systems, and antipilferage systems are already widely deployed. Literally billions of dollars have already been invested in the development of unlicensed devices, and the benefits have been considerable. But the future holds still greater promise. Based on the WINForum and Apple Computer proposals which led us to initiate this rulemaking, I believe unlicensed devices using radio spectrum above 5 GHz can play a vital role in meeting established and incipient needs for communications offering mobility, flexibility, versatility, and economy. Health care providers and their patients may also be among the main beneficiaries of this kind of technology.