STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL RE: Utilizing Rapidly Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture in Response to an Emergency, PS Docket No. 11-15. Thank you David Furth and your talented team in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau for their thoughtful work in putting together today’s Notice of Inquiry on deployable aerial communications architecture (DACA). I also thank the many commenters for your significant contributions in response to the Bureau’s Public Notice and the subsequent DACA white paper. This has been a beneficial partnership. I am pleased that we are exploring the use of aerial devices and systems to provide emergency communications immediately after a catastrophic event -- when communications are inaccessible due to damaged facilities, power outages or other setbacks. Over the years, the private sector has invested billions of dollars in emergency preparedness and response capabilities. We have every reason to ensure that our colleagues in other federal agencies, as well as those in state and local entities, are able to take advantage of these efficiencies, including the potential use of DACA systems. I look forward to engaging with both my colleagues here at the Commission and all interested parties to learn more – especially on the potential for DACA to cause harmful interference to other systems – as we analyze this important matter.