ADVISORY/Rural Telecommunications Group to Present at FCC Third Wireless Coordination Initiative.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ADVISORY...for Wednesday (April 28)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Roundtable II

Coordination Issues Among Stakeholders: Meeting

Regulatory Obligations

    WHAT: In 2003 the FCC launched its E911 Coordination Initiatives,
with then intention of bringing together stakeholders to share
experiences and devise strategies for expediting E911 deployment. The
initiative consists of a series of ongoing meetings designed to
address E911 implementation issues such as Public Safety Answering
Point (PSAP) funding, wireless carrier implementation and
prioritization, as well as issues relating to Local Exchange Carriers
(LECs), and challenges faced by rural carriers.

    WHO: Delbert Wilson of the Rural Telecommunications Group (RTG)
will be participating in a panel presentation on Roundtable II. RTG is
an industry trade association dedicated to the interests of rural
wireless telecommunications companies. The focus of Delbert's
presentation will be on the status of E911 deployment for rural
wireless carriers, as well as the specific obstacles rural carriers
are facing in meeting the FCC requirements for E911 Phase II.

    WHEN: Wednesday, April 28, 2004
          10:15 a.m. EST -- 11:30 a.m. EST


    WHERE: Audio/Video coverage of certain parts of the meeting will
be broadcast live over the Internet from the FCC's Audio/Video Events
web page at http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio.

    Copies of any materials made available to the public at this
meeting will be entered in CC Docket No. 94- 102 and will be available
through the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System or can be purchased
from the FCC's duplicating contractor, Qualex International at (202)
863-2893; facsimile at [phone]; TTY at [phone].

About RTG

RTG is an industry trade association dedicated to the interests of rural wireless telecommunications companies. Comprised of rural carriers, equipment vendors, and service providers, RTG's efforts are designed to influence the outcome of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rulemaking proceedings and related legislative and judicial proceedings in a manner that promotes wireless opportunities for rural telephone companies. The FCC has traditionally given very limited consideration to the wireless interests of rural America and rural telephone companies, notwithstanding Section 309(j) of the Communications Act, which requires the FCC to ensure that rural telephone companies have a meaningful opportunity to acquire wireless licenses and to ensure that rural America obtains new and innovative wireless services.

RTG is also concerned about the day-to-day costs of running small, rural wireless businesses and seeks to reduce the regulatory burden on small carriers through lobbying efforts with Congress and specific proceedings at the FCC. RTG is committed to the provision of advanced wireless services in rural America, including emergency and law enforcement aiding services.