STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
Re:       In the Matter of 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, WT Docket
10-153, Request for Interpretation of Section 101.141(a)(3) of the Commission’s Rules 
Filed by Alcatel-Lucent, Inc., et al., WT Docket 09-106, Petition for Declaratory Ruling 
Filed by Wireless Strategies, Inc., WT Docket 07-121, Request for Temporary Waiver  of 
Section 101.141(a)(3) of the Commission’s Rules Filed by Fixed Wireless 
Communications Coalition.
I am delighted to vote to approve today’s notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of 
inquiry seeking guidance on removing regulatory barriers to the use of spectrum for backhaul and 
other point-to-point and point-to-multipoint communications.  By enabling the development of 
more flexible and cost-effective microwave services, the Commission will be poised to assist with 
increasing deployment of fourth-generation (4G) mobile broadband networks.  
Last month’s report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project reveals that 
American consumers are taking advantage of a much wider range of mobile services – taking 
pictures, web browsing, and playing music, to name a few.  Of course this is even before the 
launch of 4G technologies.  As the use of mobile data increases, providers will need to increase 
their backhaul capacity, including microwave backhaul, to accommodate that traffic.  Increasing 
the availability of, and lowering barriers to entry for, microwave will serve as an additional 
choice for backhaul services.   
This is an issue that I’ve been speaking about for some time now, most notably in 
November 2008 as part of the Commission’s work on the TV white spaces proceeding, 
particularly in rural areas.  I will continue to stay engaged on this issue, and look forward to 
learning more.  In the meantime, I hope my colleagues agree that moving forward expeditiously 
in this proceeding, as well as in the white spaces proceeding, would be a win-win.