O'Rielly Says FCC Needs To Address 'Twilight Towers'

to address the towers, which number between 4,000 and 7,000, he said. “Until this review is concluded, these towers remain in regulatory purgatory,” he said Wednesday before PCIA at the 2015 Wireless Infrastructure Show, according to his written remarks. “No antennas can legally collocate on these structures. We need networks to be deployed; we cannot afford to have towers that are not filled to capacity.” The FCC also has room to improve the efficiency of the historic preservation application and review process in Indian country, he said. “I hear that improvements can be made to provide Native Nations the information they need to protect their historic sites, while ensuring that the process allows for the prompt construction of facilities.” O’Rielly also said the commission needs additional data on current and estimated future demands for tower construction teams, especially in light of buildout tied to the AWS-3 and pending TV incentive auction. “We will need to take this into account as we consider the best timing for the start of the broadcast incentive auction,” he said. O’Rielly said the FCC’s track record has been better on infrastructure deployment than on net neutrality. “Let me suggest to you that it is in your best interest to be involved in the policy issues under consideration at the commission -- even those that may not appear to directly affect your company,” he told the PCIA attendees. “Don’t just sit on the sidelines and say it’s not my problem, because every burden placed on your partner or potential partner means less investment in infrastructure.”