Action Alert -
DIRECTIONS FOR SUBMITTING YOUR COMMENTS to the FCC

Updated September 26, 2008
Contact: Virginia Hines
info@EMRNetwork.org

Subject: Wireless Industry Association (CTIA) Seeks to Pre-empt Local Control of Wireless Antenna and Tower Siting.

Action: Urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny CTIA's petition

Send a copy of your comment to info@emrnetwork.org, so we can track the collective effort. Or send us an email letting us know you've submitted a comment (copies of comments are better).

DIRECTIONS FOR SUBMITTING YOUR COMMENTS ELECTRONICALLY
Be aware that the steps for contacting the FCC require exactness and a bit of effort in order for your comments to even be considered. But please persist! This is the only way to have a voice in a ruling that will directly affect your everyday life.

Deadline for this method is midnight, Sept 29th.

1) Your letter must include the following docket number of this proceeding (near beginning), or else it will not be accepted: RE: WT DOCKET NO. 08-165

2) Your letter should look as follows:

__________________________________________________________

Date

Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Office of the Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington D.C., 20554

RE: WT DOCKET NO. 08-165

PUBLIC COMMENT ON PETITION BY CTIA-THE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION FOR DECLARATORY RULING TO CLARIFY PROVISIONS OF SECTION 332 (C)(7)(B) TO ENSURE TIMELY SITING REVIEW AND TO PREEMPT UNDER SECTION 253 STATE AND LOCAL ORDINANCES THAT CLASSIFY ALL WIRELESS SITING PROPOSALS AS REQUIRING VARIANCE

September 29, 2008: Comment Due Date
October 14, 2008: Reply Due Date
August 22, 2008: Motion Filed by Montgomery County, Maryland, et all, to extend the above deadlines.

Dear Ms. Dortch,
BODY OF LETTER – YOUR POINTS
Your name and address (It’s ok to submit the letter electronically without a signature.)

__________________________________________________________

3) Use 12-point font.

4) To submit comments electronically, you will be using the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).

To submit comments electronically, click here: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi
This will bring up a 2-step form which you will have to fill out. How to fill out the form:

a. For Step 1, in the "Proceeding" bar, enter: "08-165" (i.e., DROP letters and leave only docket numbers for the electronic method.)
b. For Step 2, choose the first option "Send Comment Files to FCC (Attachments)
c. Click on "Browse" next to the File bar (in green area), then attach your letter.
d. It is ok to submit a letter here without your signature, so long as it has your name & address
e. You should receive a confirmation of receipt email from the FCC
f. If you don’t receive a confirmation, or if you have any other problems, contact the
ECFS Help Desk at ecfshelp@fcc.gov or 202-418-0193. A technical support staff will be able to inform you of the system status and if you will be able to submit your filing electronically or by paper.
g. For Frequently Asked Questions, click here: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ecfsfaq.html

NOTE: The FCC website states that their electronic systems may crash near comment
deadlines. In such an event, call the ECFS Help Desk above.

ADDITIONAL MAILING & EMAILING OPTIONS

The FCC offers 4 ways to submit comments:

· Via Internet (requires filling out an online form & allows attachments) – RECOMMENDED
· Via Email (requires filling out a more complicated online form & prohibits attachments)
· Via US Postal Service (requires a DC address & 4 copies)
· Via Commercial delivery service (requires a MD address & 4 copies)

Each option has its own pros & cons, and none seems to be 100% reliable, according to the FCC’s self-stated admission.

We recommend using the Internet/Electronic method, given the time constraints, but we are also including links and directions for each of the four methods, should you wish to try the others. Believe it or not, this is the short version, as compared to the FCC’s directions:

1. To submit comments via Internet/Electronically: see above

2. To submit comments via Email click here: (does not permit attachments).
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/email.html
For "Document Type", type in "CO". (This is the form's designation for Comments.)

3. If you wish to send a hard copy via US Postal Service or a commercial overnight
service, you’ll need to:

- Include a signed original and 4 copies
- Send an email version of your letter to: FCC@BCPIWEB.com
- (This email will go to Best Copy & Printing, Inc., NOT TO FCC)
- Make sure it arrives at its destination by 7pm on September 29.
- Note: Depending on the mailing service you choose (US Postal or a commercial one),
you will be using a different address on the envelope.

a. To submit comments via US Postal Service (Express or Priority), mail to:

Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Office of the Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington DC, 20554

b. To submit comments via a Commercial overnight service (Express or Priority) mail to:

Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Office of the Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
9300 East Hampton Drive
Capitol Heights, MD 20743

Click here to read the September 26, 2008 Action Alert
Click here for recomended Talking Points when writing to the FCC Secretary