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| PCIA Applauds FCC Efforts (Alexandria, VA) – October 28, 2004 – PCIA, The Wireless Infrastructure Association (PCIA) is pleased that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recognized the need to promote wireless infrastructure deployment and has taken steps to facilitate industry compliance with historic preservation regulations. These steps include the recent adoption of voluntary best practices by the FCC and the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) for the review of the impact that wireless infrastructure may have on properties of religious or cultural significance to USET member tribes. Specifically, the agreement seeks to streamline the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) review process by describing how wireless infrastructure companies and tribes can work together to identify and evaluate properties of religious or cultural significance to tribes. For example, the new voluntary procedures assist the wireless industry in identifying and contacting affected tribes and specify recommended procedures for requesting a tribe’s review of a proposed tower site. Under the terms of the agreement, USET tribes will respond to such requests within 30 days and to work with wireless infrastructure companies to expeditiously resolve any concerns. PCIA supports the goal of the overarching goal of the agreement. Given the growth in demand for wireless services and the continued reliance on the wireless infrastructure industry to support new commercial and public safety applications, there remains a strong need to promote rapid wireless infrastructure deployment. “PCIA has been working with the FCC and the USET tribes on the development of these best practices for more than two years,” said Jay Kitchen, PCIA President and CEO. “While PCIA members have consistently shown respect for the sovereignty of Indian tribes, we are hopeful that the best practices will reduce the time, expense, and uncertainty related to negotiations with the tribes.” The best practices agreement is the second recent agreement aimed at streamlining tower siting procedures. Earlier this month at PCIA’s wireless infrastructure conference and expo in Dallas, the FCC announced the release of the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement, which streamlines procedures for compliance with the NHPA. About PCIA ### Media Contact: Tom Goode - 703-535-7409 or goodet@pcia.com
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