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 FCC NEWS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th STREET S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554

News media information 202/418-0500
TTY 202/418-2555
Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830
Internet http://www.fcc.gov
ftp://ftp.fcc.gov
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission Action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 516 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 August 2, 2001
 NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
 John Winston (202) 418-7450



FCC AND AMERICAN TOWER ENTER INTO CONSENT DECREE
REGARDING ANTENNA STRUCTURE VIOLATIONS

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announced that it has entered into a consent decree with American Tower Corporation (ATC) which terminates an enforcement proceeding initiated against ATC for apparent violations of the Commission's antenna structure rules. As part of the consent decree, ATC has agreed to make a voluntary contribution in the amount of $300,000 to the United States Treasury.

In addition to making the $300,000 voluntary contribution to the United States Treasury, ATC has agreed to implement a Compliance Plan to ensure future compliance with the antenna structure rules. ATC's Compliance Plan addresses five specific areas: tower acquisition through purchase or merger, tower construction and modification, monitoring of lighting and painting, records of lighting outages, and responses to Notices of Violations. The Compliance Plan also includes formal training for ATC personnel charged with FCC compliance responsibilities and periodic internal audits to assess the effectiveness of the Compliance Plan.

In January 2001, the Commission proposed a fine in the amount of $212,000 against ATC for 36 separate violations of the antenna structure rules. The Commission found that ATC apparently failed to properly light one antenna structure during construction, failed to register two existing antenna structures, failed to notify the Commission of ownership changes regarding 24 antenna structures, and failed to post the antenna structure registration number on nine antenna structures. The Commission also directed the Enforcement Bureau to conduct a further investigation into ATC's compliance with the antenna structure rules.

In light of ATC's agreement to implement the Compliance Plan, the Commission has terminated the enforcement proceeding, including the Enforcement Bureau's further investigation into ATC's compliance with the antenna structure rules.

Action by the Commission, July 2, 2001, Order (FCC 01-198), Chairman Powell, Commissioners Tristani, Abernathy and Copps.

Enforcement Bureau Contacts: John Winston at (202) 418-7450 or Kathy Berthot at (202) 418-7454.

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