Federal Communications Commission FCC 11-120 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL Re: Amendment of Part 101 of the Commission’s Rules to Facilitate the Use of Microwave for Wireless Backhaul and Other Uses and to Provide Additional Flexibility to Broadcast Auxiliary Service and Operational Fixed Microwave Licensees; Petition for Rulemaking filed by Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition to Amend Part 101 of the Commission's Rules to Authorize 60 and 80 MHz Channels in Certain Bands for Broadband Communications; WT Docket No. 10- 153; RM-11602 I am voting to approve this order and further notice of proposed rulemaking because the actions we take today are consistent with my longstanding commitment to creating meaningful competitive opportunities for cost-efficient backhaul, which ultimately benefits America’s consumers. I am pleased that we are removing regulatory barriers that unnecessarily hamper the ability to enter the marketplace for wireless backhaul and other point-to-point and point-to-multipoint communications. We are also making additional spectrum available for this purpose, as well as seeking comment on allowing wider channels and smaller antennas in certain bands. With these actions, the Commission is taking another step to spur the construction of advanced broadband services. I thank the talented group in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for your work in this highly-technical proceeding. I look forward to reviewing the record resulting from the further notice with the hope that we will be able to do more to promote flexible, cost-effective microwave services.