CCA Agrees with Genachowski; Interoperability will Promote Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      Contact: Lucy Tutwiler

May 8, 2012                                                                                                               (202) 449-9866

 CCA Agrees with Genachowski; Interoperability will Promote Competition

 Washington, DC – Today, in remarks at the CTIA conference in New Orleans, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said the FCC will “continue to monitor the state of competition in the wireless industry, including issues such as data roaming, interoperability and spectrum concentration,” and will “take action where necessary.”  CCA – The Competitive Carriers Association applauds the Chairman for his remarks and encourages the Commission to require interoperability to foster competition, benefit consumers and ensure competitive carriers have a clear path forward to 4G/LTE.

In a statement, CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “I completely agree with Chairman Genachowski that ‘competition is fundamental to driving innovation and investment,’ and the FCC can act today to restore competition to the wireless marketplace by requiring interoperability.  At a time when technologies are changing at exponential rates, it is critical for policymakers to ensure that no American, no matter where they live or travel, is left behind.”

Berry continued, “Interoperability will allow competitive carriers the resources they need to invest in and build out their networks.  The Chairman said the FCC will ‘take action where necessary,’ and the time is here and now – we have reached the ‘necessary’ –  and I look forward to working with the Commission on this very important issue.”

About CCA

CCA is the nation’s leading association for competitive wireless providers serving rural and regional areas of the United States. The licensed service area of CCA’s more than 100 members covers 95 percent of the nation.