Media releases XML Media Releases via RSS

Inslee Hails FCC Ruling to Speed Expansion of Wireless Service

November 19, 2009

(Washington, D.C.)  Today, Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) Co-Chair of the Congressional Wireless Caucus, hailed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimous declaratory ruling to adopt a fair “shot clock” approval process for the next generation of wireless towers.  Wednesday’s ruling will ensure the more than 3,000 pending wireless sitting applications will be considered in a timely fashion.

“Expanding wireless coverage is a big win for consumers, business, and entrepreneurs across Washington state”, said Rep. Inslee.  “This ruling will mean better access, more services, and a far more reliable network.  Wireless broadband is fueling a new age of innovation and serves as a key to new markets and methods of communication for millions of people.”     

Two decades ago, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which adopted provisions designed to delineate the role of state and local zoning authorities in the tower-sitting process to ensure the zoning process was not an obstacle to reasonable deployment of, and competition among, diverse wireless networks.  In a subsequent Supreme Court ruling, the court stated these provisions were adopted to reduce “the impediments imposed by local governments upon the installation of facilities for wireless communications, such as antenna towers.” However before Wednesday’s ruling, more than 3,300 wireless siting applications sat pending before local jurisdictions.  In an October 21, 2009 letter to Chairman Genachowski, Mr. Inslee respectfully requested that the Commission move as expeditiously as possible to ensure the continuance of valid local tower siting and environmental reviews, while limiting unnecessary or drawn out processes. 

The Wireless Caucus, co-chaired by Mr. Inslee and Mr. Radanovich (R-CA), is a bipartisan, bicameral forum composed of more than three dozen Members of Congress to learn about wireless issues through seminars, briefings, tutorials, and roundtable discussions.

Wednesday’s FCC ruling can found at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-294711A1.pdf