FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Rick Harris - 703-535-7433 or harrisr@pcia.com

PCIA Files Comments with the FCC
on the New Programmatic Agreement

Alexandria, VA—August 11, 2003 — PCIA, The Wireless Infrastructure Association announced today that it filed detailed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Friday August 8, 2003 on the draft of the NPRM on a Nationwide Programmatic Agreement (NPA) released last month. The issue has been among PCIA’s highest priorities and the comments are to assist the FCC in its final draft of the NPA.

PCIA generally supports the comments presented in the draft but believes closer review is needed in the following areas:

1. Streamlining and adding clarity to Section 106, which is the review process for the siting of communications towers near historic properties under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
   


2. Significant changes in Tribal participation, specifically the language requiring the degree to which tower companies, licensees and the FCC must consult with tribal groups in their normal course of doing business.
   


3. A thorough review of issues such as confidentiality agreements on work performed by Tribes on siting issues.
   


4. Better definition to the existing “visual effects of towers” language in the current law.

“We’ve come along way with our partners on the NPA, but still have work to do on these important issues, said PCIA President & CEO Jay Kitchen. “We’re committed to historic preservation, but we’ve had some serious concerns that the existing language in the draft NPA could actually complicate Section 106, rather than streamline it.”

PCIA began work on the NPA as part of the Telecommunications Working Group in November 2001. The FCC draft is a follow-up to earlier drafts proposed by the FCC, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the National Council of State Historic Preservation Officers and members of the Telecommunications Working Group.

“We believe that the proposed NPA draft veered away from the suggestions offered by the Telecommunications Working Group,” said Kitchen. “We were invited to be a part of this group and lend our expertise to this issue. We believed then, as we do now, that our comments provide a positive balance between historic preservation and the need of our members to do business with efficient processes. We trust the Commission will carefully review our members input.”

PCIA and its members will continue to work with historic preservationists and tribal representatives to ensure that the siting of communications towers is done in a manner that is compliant with all applicable rules. The Association believes it is extremely important to respect the rich historic properties and cultures of our nation.

The draft NPA continues to be vitally important to PCIA and its members because the Association advocates the expedient deployment of critical wireless infrastructure upon which consumers have become so reliant. There is a correlation between the siting industry, the density of infrastructure and the quality of service that consumers demand. As wireless market-share in the telecommunications industry grows, PCIA members become a critical component to better wireless services nationwide.

About PCIA
PCIA is an association of companies that seek the advancement of the wireless communications industry through advocacy, technical and marketplace initiatives. PCIA supports programs and policies that expand the growth of the wireless network infrastructure and deployment industry. PCIA’s goal is to create a better financial and business environment in which its members can grow and succeed. For more information, please go to www.pcia.com.

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