Local issues priority for PCIA

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The wireless industry is crowded with associations so it’s imperative for those looking to succeed to find their niche.
It appears PCIA has. PCIA, which was once a powerhouse for industry lobbying, has reinvented itself as the “Wireless Infrastructure Association,” focused on the tower industry.
At the association’s big event last week, the trade group claimed more than 1,500 attendees and said that its show floor was home to 85 exhibitors.
Similar to larger associations, PCIA focuses much of its work on advocacy among law makers in Washington. D.C., and around the country, as well as an increased focus on education that it feels can ease regulatory hurdles for its member companies.
This has become an especially hot issue as local jurisdictions erect hurdles for tower companies looking to erect towers and the federal government looks at issues like backup power rules for cell sites and the impact of towers on bird migration.
Michael Fitch, president and CEO of PCIA, said that in addition to its regular lobbying in Washington, D.C., the organization has taken a more pro-active stance in such issues. As such it has formed 22 satellite operations, dubbed the State Wireless Association Program, in 33 states designed to deal with local issues regarding tower construction.
Fitch noted that PCIA has a standardized process so it can send out required paperwork to different SWAP offices that can then be tailored to handle the local ordinances of specific jurisdictions.
James Taiclet, chairman, CEO and president of American Tower Corp. and a board member at PCIA, said that education on the local level has become the greatest challenge for both the trade association and individual companies. Taiclet added that while there will always be a need for more towers, American Tower was content with its current portfolio and would rather focus on getting more tenants onto each of its existing towers.
“Co-location is our primary focus,” Taiclet said. “And it makes sense for communities that are not interested in granting more new tower permits.”