The FCC issued a ruling on Thursday to clarify its tribal participation policy in relation to the siting of telecommunications towers or antennas.

Under the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement, telecommunications companies are required to contact tribes and Native Hawaiians if their proposed cell towers or antennas impact sacred or important sites. But companies wondered what to do if their contacts went unanswered.

The FCC clarified that the industry must make at least two contact attempts within 40 days. If no answer is received, the FCC must contact the tribe or Native Hawaiian organization within 20 days. After that, the tribe or Native Hawaiian organization gives up its rights under the NPA.

The FCC said the decision will clear a backlog of applications filed prior to September 10, 2005. All cell tower or antenna applications filed before this date will be approved with respect to any NPA requirements.

All the members of the FCC agreed with the clarifying ruling and issued statements on the ruling.

Get the Story:
Ruling may clear tower backlog (AP 10/7)

Relevant Documents:
FCC News Release | Declaratory Ruling | Commisssioners Martin and Abernathy | Commissioner Copps | Commssioner Adelstein

Relevant Links:
Indian Initiatives, FCC - http://www.fcc.gov/indians
The Digital Divide Network - http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org

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