RCA Applauds Genachowski’s Remarks on Interoperability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      Contact: Lucy Tutwiler

July 26, 2010                                                                                                              (202) 449-9866

RCA Applauds Genachowski’s Remarks on Interoperability

Washington, DC – Today, RCA (Rural Cellular Association) applauded Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski’s remarks that existing public safety systems have not achieved true interoperability and that there has been little progress toward finding a solution.

In a statement regarding interoperability, RCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “Chairman Genachowski’s statement is timely and significant and further proves that interoperability is a key issue that Congress and the FCC need to address.  Public safety needs interoperability in more than just 10 MHz of spectrum.  Interoperability will remain a significant challenge for public safety until further action is taken.”

Berry continued, “Auctioning the D block will help public safety gain interoperability and economies of scale that would not be achieved otherwise.  I look forward to the House Subcommittee hearing tomorrow on Interoperable Emergency Communications, as we work to find a solution achieving a nationwide, interoperable, mobile broadband public safety network.”

About RCA

RCA is the nation's leading association for wireless providers serving rural areas of the United States. The licensed service area of RCA's nearly 90 members covers more than 80 percent of the nation.

# # #