FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
January 20, 2012
JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Jay Inslee
U.S. House ofRepresentatives
2329 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Inslee:
Thank you for your letter outlining your concerns about Commission policies for
licensing and use ofmicrowave spectrum. I appreciate your support for the Commission's
efforts to maximize spectrum efficiency. We are in agreement about the importance ofeffective
and intensive use ofmicrowave spectrum.
In August 20 II, the Commission issued a Report and Order, Further Notice ofProposed
Ru/emaking, and Memorandum Opinion and Order removing regulatory barriers that had limited
the use ofspectrum for wireless backhaul and other point-to-point and point-to-multipoint
communications. The Order adds up to 650 MHz of spectrum for wireless backhaul, and
provides additional flexibility to enable service licensees to reduce operational costs and
maximize reliability.
During the course ofthe wireless backhaul proceeding, the Commission considered
concerns about its frequency coordination-based licensing regime - which entails coordination
among nearby license holders to identify and resolve potential interference - and examined
proposals similar to those outlined in your letter. The majority ofcommenters on this issue
supported the existing licensing regime, and the Commission found that there was no factual
basis for the assertion that frequency coordination licensing for wireless backhaulleads to
inefficient use ofthe spectrum. Because the coordination process takes place between applicants
and licensees without Commission involvement, the Commission does not have immediate
access to information concerning instances where requests for coordination ofmicrowave links
are rejected.
The wireless backhaul proceeding is ongoing and I will ensure that your letter is placed in
the proceeding record. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of
any further assistance.
Ju IUS Genachowski
445 12TH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 • 202-418-1000