FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2009
TIA Applauds FCC for Establishing Cell Tower Siting Deadlines
New Policies Will Prevent Local and State Regulatory Delays That Prolong Deployment of New Wireless Broadband Services
Washington, D.C. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy, standards development, business development and intelligence for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, applauded the FCC today for unanimously adopting a Declaratory Ruling establishing deadlines for state and local entities to review and make final decisions on cell tower siting applications.
The new policy requires local municipalities to take final action on applications filed by public safety and commercial entities for cell tower collocation applications within 90 days after filing, and cell tower siting applications within 150 days.
"We believe that the FCC has adopted a proactive policy that will ensure that wireless broadband carriers and other entities can extend wireless services to more Americans and enhance public safety," said Danielle Coffey, TIA Vice President for Government Affairs. "We feel that the Declaratory Ruling provides solid opportunity for local and state entities to make determinations on cell tower siting and collocation applications, and provides swift relief for those applicants who are delayed by a lack of timely action," Coffey added.
"Additionally, the FCC rightly clarified that a state or local entity may not deny an application filed by one provider based on the presence of another wireless provider in the area. This provision will provide further opportunities for competition in the wireless services industry," Coffey concluded.
For more information on this matter, please contact Patrick Sullivan at +1.202.346.3244 or psullivan@tiaonline.org.
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About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.
TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.
TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.
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