RCA Urges FCC Not to Adopt NPRM Proposals to Renew Wireless Licenses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      Contact: Lucy Tutwiler

August 23, 2010                                                                                                          (202) 449-9866

RCA Urges FCC Not to Adopt NPRM Proposals to Renew Wireless Licenses

Washington, DC – Today, in filed comments, RCA (Rural Cellular Association) called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) to reject the misguided license renewal procedures proposed in a recent Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM). These new license renewal standards would negatively affect most wireless service licenses, including cellular, PCS, AWS and 700 MHz spectrum.  While RCA supports harmonization of the FCC’s license renewal process to eliminate uncertainty, the FCC’s approach would impose significant costs and administrative burdens on rural and regional carriers and cause confusion in the wireless industry.

In a statement regarding the license renewal process, RCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “While it is not perfect, the Commission’s current renewal process for wireless services has mostly worked well.  The FCC’s proposed detailed renewal showing is unnecessary and would substantially burden RCA members, many of whom already face other significant challenges.  Furthermore, the FCC has not identified any specific problems under the current license renewal rules.”

“In order to achieve its goal of promoting competition and innovation in the wireless industry,” Berry continued, “the FCC must not adopt a new cumbersome, detailed renewal standard.  The uncertainty, confusion and unnecessary costs created as a result of these proposed license renewal process rules will cripple competitive, innovation and efficient use of spectrum.  I encourage the Commission to continue on its path to help bring mobile broadband capabilities to all Americans, and I look forward to our continued work to achieve this important initiative.”

About RCA

RCA is the nation's leading association for wireless providers serving rural areas of the United States. The licensed service area of RCA's nearly 90 members covers more than 80 percent of the nation.

# # #