Key Note Speakers Lead the Way at WIA

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WIA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein and FirstNet CEO Michael Poth address the general assembly at the WIA Wireless Infrastructure Show in Orlando

With two of three FCC Commissioners scheduled to make an appearance at the WIA Wireless Infrastructure Show in Orlando and a video from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, with apologies for not being in attendance, the tower industry’s major conference flexed its political muscle yesterday. Clearly the association and the industry has the attention of the federal government.

In absentia, Pai thanked the members of WIA for helping the FCC form polices and giving them the incentives to streamline the deployment process. Pai said they are looking into shortening the infamous “shot clock,” the environmental review process and limiting local jurisdictions from instituting moratoriums on cell site construction. He encouraged the input of the association members saying “give us the evidence we need to help streamline the process.”

In his keynote address, WIA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein reiterated the progress made in loosening federal government restraints. He added the WIA is lobbying for a more concise method of handling tribal reviews, trying to set height limit definitions for ‘small cell’ towers (i.e., below 50 feet) and working with state governments to develop an expedient deployment policy.  “But we also push back when they go beyond reason,” Adelstein said. 

Adelstein announced the establishment of the Telecommunication Education Center, a learning portal devoted to improving safety and quality within the telecommunications industry.  The new entity is designed to “train the wireless workforce for the future” by offering on-line technical training courses and certification.

FirstNet CEO Michael Poth followed Adelstein, reflecting on the apparent terrorist attack in London and the ever increasing need for public safety.  “We want technology and innovation to out run terrorism,” Poth said.  Large events require a prioritization of wireless services, he said, so that public safety devices get through the flood of connectivity first, in the event of a disaster or an attack.  “Public safety can’t wait,” Poth said, when it comes to streamlining and developing new policies.

Poth said they are also working with states on an Opt-In/Opt-out program whereby the state can choose to work with FirstNet in building an effective emergency services network or choose build it out with private partners.

The WIA show continues through today in Orlando.

By Jim Fryer, Managing Editor, Inside Towers

May 24, 2017         

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