PCIA's Advocacy Blog
Wireless and High Wires at NYSWA Event
Written by Mike Fitch, President & CEO
20 June 2012
The New York State Wireless Association (NYSWA) held its 5th annual trade show last week in Niagara Falls. As it has been every year, it was well attended with more exhibitors and excellent panel sessions on important industry issues. As one of the speakers, I explained how by PCIA working with our members, our board of directors and others in the industry—including the state wireless associations—we achieved the landmark pre-emption legislation earlier this year. Congratulations to NYSWA on another successful event!
Coincidentally, the second day of the event was the same day that Nik Wallenda did his historic wire walk over the falls. One of the other keynote speakers at the NYSWA trade show was New York State Senator George Maziarz, chairman of the committee responsible for telecommunications—and the sponsor of the new law needed to allow the wire walk. Sen. Maziarz stated the work NYSWA does is critical to educating the legislature about actions needed to improve life for all citizens of New York State.
Finally, I can’t resist the joke that I should have told during my speech: our industry is evolving so quickly that the next time Nik Wallenda does one of his incredible dare devil stunts, it will be wireless!
Coincidentally, the second day of the event was the same day that Nik Wallenda did his historic wire walk over the falls. One of the other keynote speakers at the NYSWA trade show was New York State Senator George Maziarz, chairman of the committee responsible for telecommunications—and the sponsor of the new law needed to allow the wire walk. Sen. Maziarz stated the work NYSWA does is critical to educating the legislature about actions needed to improve life for all citizens of New York State.
Finally, I can’t resist the joke that I should have told during my speech: our industry is evolving so quickly that the next time Nik Wallenda does one of his incredible dare devil stunts, it will be wireless!
South Wireless Summit a Rousing Success
Written by Nancy Chrisman, Director, State Wireless Associations
01 April 2012
PCIA’s State Wireless Association Program (SWAP) has an impressive reach—we’re 27 organizations that reach 38 states. Our collective ability to influence policies that benefit the industry is an extremely important part of PCIA’s overall advocacy success. That spirit of grassroots advocacy was on display at last week’s South Wireless Summit in Tunica, Miss., which PCIA produced on behalf of the state wireless associations of Alabama, Arkansas/Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana/Mississippi and Tennessee. I’m proud to say that the summit was the largest and most widely-attended multi-state event held to date—drawing more than 400 infrastructure providers, carriers and services firms from throughout the south.
Landmark Federal Siting Legislation Benefits All
Written by Mike Fitch, President & CEO
23 February 2012
When President Obama signed into law the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 this week, it marked the culmination of PCIA’s multi-year effort to pass federal legislation that streamlines collocation on and modification of an existing structure. Our long term advocacy effort—which was supported every step of the way by our members and many state wireless associations—has resulted in landmark legislation that will ultimately enable wireless infrastructure providers to upgrade and expand existing facilities efficiently and cost-effectively.
The collocation legislation will save the industry millions of dollars—it’s a common sense measure that is a long time coming. It will increase capital investment, spur job creation and accelerate the advance of all wireless networks. It is a victory for the industry and the economy. It’s also a victory for the millions of American consumers, businesses, hospitals, public safety agencies and others who rely on wireless communications in their daily lives. I’m thrilled to say our efforts to educate policy-makers about the importance of timely and efficient network deployment have resulted in this landmark legislation.
The collocation legislation will save the industry millions of dollars—it’s a common sense measure that is a long time coming. It will increase capital investment, spur job creation and accelerate the advance of all wireless networks. It is a victory for the industry and the economy. It’s also a victory for the millions of American consumers, businesses, hospitals, public safety agencies and others who rely on wireless communications in their daily lives. I’m thrilled to say our efforts to educate policy-makers about the importance of timely and efficient network deployment have resulted in this landmark legislation.
PCIA’s Data Initiative – Strength in Numbers
Written by Jonathan Campbell, Dir. Government Affairs
07 March 2012
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. That sentiment is especially true in the advocacy world, as organizations such as PCIA often have just a brief opportunity to make a lasting impression on busy policy-makers. That is why we rely on providing a quick “snapshot” of the industry in terms of the role our members play in economic development and the deployment of the nation’s wireless networks. You can help us make our statistics even more valuable by participating in PCIA’s Data and Rooftop Survey initiative, which aims to collect data that illustrates not only our industry’s economic impact, but our innovation and responsiveness to the unique sensitivities of different communities.
FCC event highlights DAS and small cell solutions for enhancing wireless coverage
Written by Tracy Ford, Director, The DAS Forum
01 February 2012
A world of smartphones, tablets, e-readers and other wireless devices with Internet connectivity wasn’t even imagined a few years ago, and yet, these devices are changing society. Wireless broadband means the world isn’t black and white any more. Students use iPads at home to research school assignments. Entrepreneurs make wireless devices their primary way to communicate with their customers and potential customers. Business people can make more time for their families – and be productive at work – because mobile broadband access at home and on the go allows them to have more flexible schedules. But these devices – which allow us to be more productive at work, more social during free time and share more with our friends and family when we want to – put new pressures on wireless networks.
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