WIA CEO Jonathan Adelstein Tackles Regulatory Issues Facing Wireless Industry in California

San Francisco – July 14, 2016 – Jonathan Adelstein, President and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), delivered a speech today to members of the Northern California Chapter of the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA). In his address, Adelstein stressed the key role wireless infrastructure will play in delivering the mobile services citizens and businesses in California and throughout the United States expect from their telecommunications providers.

“The work that wireless infrastructure companies do in California and around the country touches every aspect of people’s lives,” Adelstein told the audience of communications professionals. “From watching highlights from last night’s game on your smart phone to providing the wireless backbone needed for the modern smart city to operate, we increasingly depend on wireless. It requires a lot of infrastructure to keep up with the growing demand for wireless bandwidth.”

The FCBA is a national volunteer organization of attorneys, engineers, consultants, economists, government officials and law students involved in the study, development, interpretation and practice of communications and information technology law and policy. The FCBA, which has more than 2,000 members across several chapters, has been the leading organization for communications lawyers and other professionals since 1936.

“The Northern California Chapter of the FCBA was pleased to host Jonathan Adelstein for our July chapter event,” said Robert Millar, Associate General Counsel at Crown Castle and Co-Chair of the Northern California Chapter of the FCBA. “Broadband infrastructure deployment issues are getting a lot of attention right now because of the growth in the market and demand for wireless data from both consumers and businesses.  Practitioners in this area understand the importance of today’s infrastructure that supports the deployment of wireless broadband services that will deliver the Internet of Things, 5G and the services and jobs that will continue to grow the U.S. economy.”

During his remarks, Adelstein honed in on regulatory issues facing the wireless industry in California.

“California is often a challenging state to site wireless infrastructure, but we are making progress,” Adelstein said. “Last year, we worked with a coalition to support AB 57, which streamlines the siting process for the vital infrastructure communities need. We’re also working with the Public Utilities Commission to secure new pole attachment regulations. There is always work to be done in California, and WIA is ready to take on those challenges on your behalf.

“The regulatory environment is complex for wireless companies to navigate as they seek to deliver mobile voice and data service to consumers, businesses, governments and institutions. Forums such as this play a critical role in making sure leaders in California understand the regulatory issues facing the entire wireless industry.”

Rachelle Chong, Honorary Co-Chair of the Northern California Chapter of the FCBA and a former Commissioner with the FCC and the California Public Utilities Commission, added: “Given the strong environmental concerns of Californians, the issue of siting advanced wireless facilities is always a hot button topic in the Golden State. We have some of the heaviest use of wireless smartphones in the nation. Plus we are Ground Zero for the app economy, yet providing these advanced communication services requires an abundant network of wireless facilities. We wanted to bring former FCC Commissioner Adelstein to California to help us understand the future of wireless and to help us gain important perspectives on the technology.”