National Associations Send Letters Regarding Proposed Cybersecurity Legislation

On May 9, NATOA, along with the American Public Works Association, Council of State Governments, International City/County Management Association, National Association of Counties, National Association of State Chief Information Officers, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Emergency Management Association, National League of Cities, and the US Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers, submitted letters to House and Senate leaders outlining some key state and local government principles and values concerning proposed cybersecurity legislation.  As critical stakeholders in national cybersecurity efforts, we urged that the federal government avoid imposing unfunded mandates on state and local partners; advocated collaborative public educational efforts; and the maintenance of civil liberties and privacy for all citizens.

Click HERE to read the letter. 

FCC Announces May 1 Workshop on Collocation

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES WORKSHOP: PROMOTING MOBILE BROADBAND IN YOUR COMMUNITY BY COLLOCATING WIRELESS ANTENNAS ON COMMUNICATIONS
TOWERS AND OTHER STRUCTURES

The FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, in cooperation with the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), will host an educational workshop addressing collocations of wireless and broadband antennas on communications towers and other structures.  The workshop will take place on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, from 9:30 AM – 4 PM EDT in the Commission Meeting Room at FCC Headquarters in Washington, DC.  The FCC will also webcast the workshop.

The workshop will provide an overview of how collocations can promote the availability of mobile broadband, public safety, and other wireless services in a manner consistent with community priorities.  Panelists will discuss the technical, structural, and business considerations underlying collocations on a variety of structure types, including wireless towers, AM radio/broadcast towers, public safety communications towers, utility infrastructure, rooftops, and water tanks.  The workshop will explore examples of cooperative solutions that have facilitated wireless deployment while recognizing community interests.  We will also discuss the significance of the FCC’s Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the Collocation of Wireless Antennas.
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Oral Argument Held in City of Arlington, TX v. FCC

Oral argument was heard June 8, 2011 in the case of City of Arlington, TX v. Federal Communications Commission.  The case challenges the FCC’s authority to issue its November 2009 tower siting order, which imposed timeframes within which localities must take action on tower siting applications.  A decision is expected by the end of the year.

NTIA Releases BTOP Program Overview Report

On December 14, 2010, the NTIA released a report that provides a great overview of the BTOP program.  You can read the full report, “The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program: Expanding Broadband Access and Adoption in Communities Across America,” at this link.