This is where we keep the old headlines and other items that formerly graced the front page of TelecomLawFirm.com during 2009.
See, we're not hiding our older stuff, but we're not filling up the front page with it, either.
Kramer Telecom Law Firm, P.C. (KTLF) is a very unusual law firm that combines decades of radio frequency, cable TV, broadband, fiber technology, and right-or-way management experience with practical law knowledge in those technology areas to provide our clients with real solutions to their matters.
2010 KTLF Stories Archive
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OLDER KTLF NEWS HEADLINES
2009 Archive IMPORTANT
Wireless Siting Due Dates for State and Local Governments December 5, 2009: I've received questions from governments regarding the timing of current and new applications under the FCC's Shot Clock Order (FCC 09-99). Paragraph 51 of the decision sets out in dense and relevant part:
Essentially governments have three time-to-act possibilities under the decision, which are: (1) the government must act on NEW siting applications accepted on or after 11/18/09 within 90 days of acceptance for collocations , or 150 days of acceptance for new/other sites; or (2) for sites ALREADY in the government's processing queue for LESS than 90 (collocations) or 150 days (new or other applications) on 11/18/09, the government starts the 90 or 150 day clocks to complete processing as of 11/18/09. This means that (3) for sites ALREADY in the governments's queue for MORE than 90 days (collocations) or 150 days (new/other sites) on 11/18/09, /if the carrier sends the appropriate notice and a copy of the decision to the government, you'll have 60 days from the date of the notice to complete the process. Whether the 'date of the notice' is the one listed on the carrier's letter, the date it was mailed or transmitted by fax or email, or dropped through the sunroof by a carrier pigeon, or the date the letter, email, fax, or bird-dropping was received by the government is unclear, but presumably actual receipt of the notice by the government would be the most appropriate date). Legal stuff: This is not legal advice as to any specific matter. Check with your government attorney for her/his interpretation of this decision and its sub-elements because that's the only opinion that you should follow. Until and unless the ruling is stayed, modified, or scraped, you should presume that the FCC's deadlines will apply. Wireless Application Form
for Local Governments
Updated December 16, 2009 (Major Update) December 16, 2009: Jonathan has just released yet another update to the extremely popular and widely used Supplemental Wireless Application form. This is a MAJOR update addressing the FCC Shot Clock decision incorporating the Sprint v. Palos Verdes Estates decision in the 9th Circuit. Used by governments around the country for over 5 years, this form helps governments collect relevant and necessary data to assist the government with complying with Telecom Act Sections 253, 332, and 704 data collection and analysis requirements. In California, the form also assists in determining rights under PUC Code Sections 7901 and 7901.1 related to a carriers interest in siting in the public right of way, as well as CEQA and the California Government Code. This copyrighted form is free to use and modify by federal, state, and local government agencies. See the Wireless Siting Form page for more details, and download links for the updated form in three different formats (.doc; .rtf; and .pdf). A link to the download page is also on the left column of this page. FCC ACTS ON CTIA SHOT CLOCK PETITION
On November 18, 2009: The Commission voted today to adopt an order setting out what it considers to be reasonable time frames for state and local governments to act on tower siting applications. The Commission announced that it has determined What does ??? mean? Good question. Until the actual order is clarified by the Commission (or the courts), we won't know whether they've addressed a key question: Does the clock run from when the application is filed, or does it run from when the application is determined by the state or local government agency to be complete. And while we're on the subject, what is the impact on state law processes (such as CEQA and Coastal Commission in California)? Does the application action period during the time periods outside the control of local permitting agencies? While not reaching a decision may open the doors to state and federal courts, the Commission acknowledges that their shot clock is rebuttable in court. Of course, to get the the rebutting stage, the local government will bear the costs of litigation, without knowing whether their legal costs will be their own, or if the court will order the application/plaintiff to reimburse the local government is the presumption is, in fact, rebutted. The Commission also declared that the existence of one carrier's service in an area does not permit a state or local to deny a subsequent application (some might call this the 'one is enough' rule). This portion of the FCC's order will have no impact in the 9th Circuit, since the 'one is enough' rule was overruled in this Circuit years ago in the MetroPCS v. San Francisco case. The Commission's Declaratory Ruling will become effective upon the release of the decision. If you would like to listen to the FCC's hearing (32 minutes, 9 seconds in length), you can CLICK HERE. Click Here to download the FCC's Declaratory Ruling (PDF format). Government Attorneys and Planners: Kramer's Major New Guide to RF Safety Published in the Public Law Journal of the State Bar of California
October 8, 2009: The Public Law Journal of the State Bar of California has published Jonathan's article, "A Practical Guide to Radio Please follow this link to download the article download page. Getting Much Clearer on Clearwire
October 7, 2009: I'm pleased to report that I had a very productive meeting with Clearwire, held at their request, (with several follow-ups). Suzanne Toller, Clearwire's outside counsel set up the meeting. She also provided a follow-up letter that is helpful to understand Clearwire's position on many of the key points I've been discussing with governments. At her invitation, I've posted Suzanne's letter here. I've set up a separate page to give background information, and to link to the relevant documents, including Suzanne's letter. I invite you to visit the new Clearwire page and read the documents for yourself. Please follow this link to the Clearwire page. Jonathan-the-Photographer Featured in Los Angeles Business Journal
September 8, 2009: Jonathan is featured in this week's edition of the Los Angeles Business Journal. As the story starts, "While many collect shot glasses or pins of their travels, Jonathan Kramer prefers to take pictures of cell phone towers."
My collection of photos helps my clients when I'm reviewing wireless applications on their behalf because I can shown how the proposed design will likely appear in real life, as well as real life alternative designs already deployed that may be better. (I love it when a wireless carrier huffs and puffs and says, "We would never build a cell site like you've suggested!" and then I show them photos of several of their own sites, and the sites of others, already constructed in the way.) I also license my photographs, without charge, to be used by local governments in the own staff reports and presentations. If you need a photo of something, it's likely I have it already ... while the article reports that I have about 3,500 photos, the actual number is somewhere north of 5,000. I keep about 1,100 on-line at any particular time. As noted in the article, my photographs have been published in various magazines, most notably, the National Geographic (September 2007). If you haven't visited my cell site photo gallery, check it out: http://www.CellularPCS.com/gallery/. While you're in the neighborhood, also check out my wireless siting blog at http://www.CellularPCS.com. Do Cell Towers Sneak into Neighborhoods in Disguise?
August 30, 2009: In a copyrighted story in The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, California), reporter Jeff Horseman discusses how cell phone sites are are being hidden within clock towers, camouflaged trees, and church steeples. This is a very informative and balanced article. Jonathan is quoted throughout the story, titled "Cell phone towers sneaking in to Inland neighborhoods in disguise." Read the full story by following this link. Then look at various camouflaged cell site designs in the Kramer.Firm Wireless Site Gallery by following this link. (Story link posted here with the kind permission of the P-E's editor.) Kramer Quoted In Mac World News Regard Apple's
blocking of the Google Voice App from the Apple App Store. August 24, 2009: The FCC wants to know who's blocking what, and why. "Every company makes business decisions designed to promote the bottom line, and this is but one example of a profit-seeking policy," [Jonathan Kramer] told the E-Commerce Times. "That said, the FCC hasn't provided clear guidance as to what responsibilities telecom providers carrying VoIP packets of other vendors must follow. 'Does any of this violate FCC regulations? I don't think the FCC knows the answer to that yet," Kramer concluded.' Read the full story by following this link. Wireless and DAS Application Form
for Local Governments Updated August 6, 2009:
Addresses Issues Raised in T-Mobile USA Inc. v. City of Anacortes Case
August 6, 2009: Jonathan has just released another major update to the extremely popular and widely used Supplemental Wireless and DAS Siting Application form. This latest update addresses issues raised in the 9th Circuit decision in T-Mobile USA, Inc. v. City of Anacortes, and collects information to aid a government in assessing whether a project is to close a claimed significant gap in coverage using what the applicant believes to be the least intrusive means, and whether there are alterative sites for the proposed project. Used by governments around the country for nearly 5 years, this form helps governments collect relevant and necessary data to assist the government with complying with Telecom Act Sections 253, 332, and 704 data collection and analysis requirements. In California and the 9th Circuit, the form also assists in determining rights under T-Mobile v. Anacortes, PUC Code Sections 7901 and 7901.1 related to a carriers interest in siting in the public right of way, as well as the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Government Code. This copyrighted form is free to use and modify by federal, state, and local government agencies. Local Government Alert: Sprint Nextel is Filing Clearwire's Applications (at least) in Southern California August 6, 2009: Clearwire, which is an over-the-air (wireless) Internet provider, is now in the process of submitting In fact, from the face of the plans coming over the planning counters, it's not obvious that the applications are for Clearwire. Rather, these submittals appear on their face to be Sprint Nextel applications. (Tip to local governments in California: On the cover page of the plans look for a site number using the prefix form "CA-". This is a tip off that this is most likely a Clearwire project.) Local governments should be very careful to understand who is submitting what, and the rights of the applicant as may exist in federal and state law. For example, in California, Clearwire does NOT have a PUC-issued Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), so they do not have the same rights as a Cellular or PCS wireless firm (like Sprint) to access the right of way.
One way to help local governments determine who is the real party in interest, regardless of the names of the application filer, is to use our Wireless and DAS Application Form for Local Governments. That form, which is updated to reflect changes in technology and law, will help local governments make the key determinations and build their administrative record. The form is free for local governments. Click Here to jump to the form download page. Current Issues in Cell Tower Leasing
(This lecture will be presented twice in September, 2009) September 1, 2009, and repeated on September 17, 2009, both at 1:00 p.m. EDT: Jonathan and John W. Pestle will be co-presenters twice again on the topic of 'Current Issues in Register for the September 1, 2009 Teleconference Register for the September 17, 2009 Teleconference Note that continuing education participation units/credits are available for these seminars: AICP (Pending); CC; CLE/MCLE (please check Lorman's "Detailed Credit Information" page for states that have already been approved); ENG; and PMI. September 10, 2009 (7:00 p.m. PDT): Jonathan will present This presentation will focus on the FCC rules and California state law that control amateur radio tower siting, and offer techniques to help move the process forward. Note that Jonathan Kramer, an amateur radio Extra-class operator and Volunteer Counsel of the American Radio Relay League, represents local governments in these matters, so the lecture will be from that perspective. The club's web site can be found by following this link. September 12, 2009: Jonathan will be a speaker at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Don't let advances in technology undermine the integrity of your practice. Learn about the threats to confidentiality posed by mobile technology, and how to protect your clients and yourself. Understand how metadata hidden in the documents you share with others electronically can compromise your practice and threaten client confidences and attorney work product privileges. This session is approved by the State Bar of California for 0.5 hours of ethics credit, and 0.5 hours of general MCLE credit. To register for this event, please follow this link to visit the State Bar's web site. Major Issues in WiMAX Tower Leases and Zoning
(August 6, 2009) August 6, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. EDT: Jonathan and John W. Pestle will be co-presenters at Lorman's "Major Issues in WiMAX Tower Leases and Zoning" teleconference. Jonathan will focus on the technology issues (back-haul mesh networks, transmission, RF safety, equipment, etc) as they intertwine with the legal issues connected with WiMAX site leasing and zoning. Note that continuing education participation units/credits are available for these seminars: AICP (Pending); CC; CLE/MCLE (please check Lorman's "Detailed Credit Information" page for states that have already been approved); ENG; and PMI. PublicCEO.com on
T-Mobile USA Inc. v. City of Anacortes July 24, 2009: PublicCEO.com has published a industry/government balanced story looking at the Anacortes decision. I was asked to provide some words for the story that was written by Andrew Carico. To ready the story, titled "Court Decision Affects How Local Governments Deal With Wireless Providers", please click here. T-Mobile USA Inc. v. City of Anacortes
July 20, 2009: In the first major post-Sprint wireless case, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has provided very important guidance about what local governments must now do to oppose a wireless carrier's claim that it has a significant gap in coverage, coupled with a claim that its proposed site is the least intrusive means to close the gap. Essentially, when a carrier makes both showings (significant gap and least intrusive means), the burden shifts to the local government to show that some other alternative site is viable and available. To download your own copy of the decision, please click here. I'll be writing more about this case, so stay tuned. Wireless Application Form
for Local Governments
Updated June 26, 2009 (Major Update) June 26, 2009: Jonathan has just released another update to the extremely popular and widely used Supplemental Wireless Application form. This is a MAJOR update addressing DAS providers who are not FCC licensees of their own sites. Used by governments around the country for nearly 5 years, this form helps governments collect relevant and necessary data to assist the government with complying with Telecom Act Sections 253, 332, and 704 data collection and analysis requirements. In California, the form also assists in determining rights under PUC Code Sections 7901 and 7901.1 related to a carriers interest in siting in the public right of way, as well as CEQA and the California Government Code. This copyrighted form is free to use and modify by federal, state, and local government agencies. Special thanks to Jeff A. Lewis, Esq., City of Inglewood, California for his insights and recommendations to make the form even more useful for local governments. US SUPREME COURT DENIES CERTIORARI IN
SPRINT v. SAN DIEGO and LEVEL 3 v. ST. LOUIS CASES June 29, 2009: It's official ... Rational Behavior has returned to Facial v. As Applied Challenges of telecom ordinances. The Supreme Court today denied certiorari in both cases. If you'd like to download your own copy of the order, click here! For those of us in the 9th Circuit, Tom Bunton, Esq. of the County Counsel's office in San Diego County is a true hero! Clearwire About to Enter the Southern California Market in a BIG WAY!
June 24, 2009: Clearwire, which is an over-the-air (wireless) Internet provider, is apparently about to submit Clearwire's network, which is a wireless "mesh" of interconnected sites connecting back to POPs (points of presence to connect to the Internet) generally uses 5 GHz microwave links to provide site-to-site communications, and 2 GHz panel antennas to connect to its subscribers. Some of the frequencies Clearwire uses are licensed by the FCC; others appear to be in license-free spectrum. While not nearly as fast as many DSL, cable, and fiber providers, Clearwire does offer throughput speeds in excess of WiFi, as well as its big-ticket feature: wireless portability across a large area single-vendor network. And unlike most cable and fiber providers, Clearwire also offers low cost static IP addresses that will permit Clearwire subscribers to run their own web, mail, FTP, DNS, and other servers. This will be great for redundant and back-up Internet connectivity. I suspect it's likely I'll dump my second DSL line at the office in favor of Clearwire's network when it's available in West Los Angeles. Local governments should expect to see Sprint carry in some/many of the applications to the planning counter. Sprint is a 51% owner of Clearwire. While Sprint has the majority ownership position, be aware that this project is not covered by a For those governments that routinely strike microwave dish elements from wireless projects where less visible back-haul options exist, think about whether granting requested microwave antennas for Clearwire's back haul jeopardizes your ability to deny future microwave antenna requests from other similarly-situated wireless applicants. From an RF safety standpoint, Clearwire is subject to the FCC RF safety rules. The Clearwire applications I have seen so far indicate that its sites are relatively low power, but there may be times when a detailed RF safety review and permit conditions may be required. For more good information about Clearwire, check out their press kit site by following this link. For those local governments that use a version of my wireless application form, please download the most current version (6/22/09 or later) which has been updated to address wireless Internet mesh network applications, as well as updates for DAS providers (who are not wireless providers, but that's a different story). The form is free for local governments to use, and available at the bottom of this linked page. I'll be writing more about Clearwire's exciting deployment plans, and their technology, in the coming weeks and months. Watch this space! "How do I (wireless) site thee? Let me Count the Ways."
This guide is written by government and wireless industry experts.
Please follow this link to visit NATOA's order page. GO95/GO128/NEC Practices for California Cable Operators
(SCTE Southern California Chapter Meeting) July 15, 2009 (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.): Jonathan Kramer and Steve Allen will discuss the Sprint's Supplemental Brief Urging the Supreme Court to Grant Cert in
Sprint v. County of San Diego June 25, 2005: With my personal thanks to Tom Bunton (County of San Diego) and Kannon Shanmugam (Sprint's Counsel of Record), both have provided me with a copy of Sprint's Supplemental Brief urging the Supreme Court to hear Sprint's application for cert from the 9th Circuit En Banc ruling against the carrier. The brief was filed with the court on June 9th. We should learn next week whether the court will grant cert. Sprint's supplemental brief opens as follows: "In response to the Courts invitation, the government has filed a most peculiar brief. The government concedes that there is a circuit conflict concerning the interpretation of 47 U.S.C. 253(a)one of the central provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The government further contends that the Ninth Circuit erred to the extent that it held that a regulation is preempted under Section 253(a) only if it effects a complete ban on the provision of telecommunications service. And the government does not dispute that this case presents an issue of enormous practical significance to the telecommunications industry in general and the wireless industry in particular." To download your copy of Sprint's brief, please click here (PDF: 85 Kb). June 18, 2009: Jonathan will be a speaker at the California Wireless Association Northern There will be a buffet breakfast (included in the price of registration) preceding the educational session. Breakfast begins at 8:15 a.m. The educational session begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. and will run for two hours. Advance registration is required. Tickets for the educational session are $20.00. While this lecture is geared towards wireless industry and municipal government professionals. To view the sign-up page for this lecture, please follow this link. California attorneys, please note that this is not a CLE event. June 11, 2009: Jonathan will be John W. Pestle's co-presenter in this edition of the While this lecture is geared towards municipal government attorneys and staff, many wireless industry members also find the program to be very useful, too. To view the sign-up page for this lecture, please follow this link. Solicitor General Recommends Supreme Court Deny Writs of Certiorari in
Sprint v. County of San Diego and Level 3 v St. Louis Cases.
"This brief is filed in response to the Court’s order inviting the Solicitor General to express the views of the United States in these cases. In the view of the United States, both of the petitions for writs of certiorari should be denied." Read the SG's brief (PDF format) by clicking on this link. Jonathan's Cell Site Photos Featured in
"PALAIS /" Magazine
(Alas, were it only that easy...) Solicitor General Recommends Supreme Court Deny Writs of Certiorari in
Sprint v. County of San Diego and Level 3 v St. Louis Cases.
"This brief is filed in response to the Court’s order inviting the Solicitor General to express the views of the United States in these cases. In the view of the United States, both of the petitions for writs of certiorari should be denied." Read the SG's brief (PDF format) by clicking on this link. Jonathan's Cell Site Photos Featured in
"PALAIS /" Magazine
(Alas, were it only that easy...) Solicitor General Recommends Supreme Court Deny Writs of Certiorari in
Sprint v. County of San Diego and Level 3 v St. Louis Cases.
"This brief is filed in response to the Court’s order inviting the Solicitor General to express the views of the United States in these cases. In the view of the United States, both of the petitions for writs of certiorari should be denied." Read the SG's brief (PDF format) by clicking on this link. Jonathan's Cell Site Photos Featured in
"PALAIS /" Magazine
(Alas, were it only that easy...)
Yes, It's really that time of year again for the annual SCAN NATOA Spring Conference. Now in its 13th year, we're taking out the VIEW MASTER to discover a BLAST FROM THE PAST! Now this is no ordinary SLINKY or TINKER TOY, but a set of HOT WHEELS to make sure your OPERATION goes as smooth as an EASY BAKE OVEN. Because after-all, we're talking about THE GAME OF LIFE not a MOUSETRAP! So gather GI JOE and BARBIE along with some other BOZO's and come on down for a ROCK'EM SOCK'EM good time! Confirmed speakers include Jonathan L. Kramer, Esq., SCAN NATOA's President Elect and the principal of the Kramer Telecom Law Firm, PC in Los Angeles; Javan Rad, Esq., a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Pasadena dealing with telecom issues; and one or more representatives of the the wireless industry and the California Wireless Association. Extensive handouts will be provided. Please distribute this notice to all who may have an interest in attending. The meetings will not be recorded, so be certain to make plans to attend. Note to Attorneys: No CLE credit for this meeting. To sign up for this event, please visit THIS WEBSITE. May 20, 2009: Jonathan and Steven Johnson BCE, BPS - Johnson Telecom, LLC will lead the SCTE's May Live Learning event, "The National Electrical Code: Why Comply?" The National Electrical Code (NEC) is the core safety code intended to protect the general public and cable workers from electrical accidents, injuries, and fire. Virtually all state and local governments require cable systems to comply with the NEC, but compliance can sometimes present challenging problems for headend and outside plant staff. Steven C. Johnson and Jonathan L. Kramer, nationally-known experts on the NEC and cable industry compliance with the Code will lead a lively discussion of the NEC from how the Code is developed to its application in today's cable systems; common headend and outside plant compliance problems and solutions (illustrated with many photos); working with local code inspectors to identify and head-off Code problems, and how to resolve them if code citations are issued. The SCTE's new Chapter training program on the National Electrical Code will be previewed. A Q & A session will follow the training. SCAN NATOA CHAPTER MEETING Thursday, April 23, 2009 Cerritos, CA: WIRELESS SITING UPDATE The world of wireless siting continues to be a mix of new entrants, new technologies, and new litigation. SCAN NATOA presents a practical overview of the wireless siting process for local government and private planners, and public and private attorneys. You'll learn about the latest court cases shaping this changing landscape, and planning processes designed to deal with the federal and state laws that control wireless siting. Included will be an overview of Clearwire Communications, a new wireless Internet player poised to enter the Southern California marketplace in a big way. Confirmed speakers include: Jonathan L. Kramer, Esq., SCAN NATOA's President Elect and the principal of the Kramer Telecom Law Firm, PC in Los Angeles; Javan Rad, Esq., a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Pasadena dealing with telecom issues; and Michael Shonafelt, Esq., a partner in the Los Angeles office of Allen Matkins representing the wireless industry and the California Wireless Association. Extensive handouts will be provided. Please distribute this notice to all who may have an interest in attending. The meetings will not be recorded, so be certain to make plans to attend. Note to Attorneys: An application has been filed with the State Bar of California for 1.75 hours of MCLE credit for this event. Attorney participants will be notified of the actual number of hours approved by the State Bar. To sign up for this event, please visit THIS WEBSITE. March 26, 2009. Jonathan is quoted in an E-Commerce Times article entitled, "Are ISPs the Music Industry's New Guns for Hire?" by Erika Morphy.
 The article focuses on a new alignment between the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and some major ISPs to identify ISP users who may be illegally sharing music files.According to the report, COX and AT&T are among the ISPs cooperating with the RIAA. The plan seems to be a three-strike rule: Three warnings from the RIAA via the ISP, and then the subscriber is cut off. "It makes the RIAA the bad guys -- not the ISP," [Kramer] said. "If the RIAA is telling the ISP which of its customers is using the [peer-to-peer] sites and to cut them off, then the ISP doesn't have to throttle its customers -- it can 'legitimately' shut them down." Click on the link above to read the article online, or click here to read a PDF capture of the story. Reprinted here with the kind permission of the publisher of ECT.
Okay, who's the smarty pant's playing with the lights? Who didn't turn out the Analog TV lights on February 17th? Congress, that's who. The official cut over date to DTV over-the-air broadcasting has been pushed back by Congress. Presuming the President signs the bill (which everyone expects), the new analog nighty-night date will be June 12, 2009. Of course, that doesn't mean that your local TV stations won't convert to only-DTV prior to June 12th as many stations have already done.
January 9, 2009: Jonathan Kramer joins the Second Life Bar Association. This is a virtual Bar Association. Jonathan's SL Avatar Name is TelLagu Swords.
January 7, 2009 This is going to get ugly. Current Issues in Cell Tower Leasing March 3, 2009: Jonathan and John W. Pestle will be co-presenters on the topic of 'Current Issues in Cell Tower Leasing' Note that continuing education participation units/credits are available for this seminar: AICP (Pending); CC; CLE/MCLE (please check Lorman's "Detailed Credit Information" page for states that have already been approved); ENG; and PMI. City Attorneys Association of San Diego County February 26, 2009: Jonathan will be the luncheon speaker at the City Attorneys Association of San Diego County. The title of his presentation is, "Wireless Tower Leasing and Siting Update—Practice Tips for Leasing, Siting, Health Concerns, and Life after Sprint v. County of San Diego." (Inflatable toys will be provided.) USC Annenberg School for Communication
Communication Law and New Technologies February 18, 2009: Jonathan will be the guest lecturer taking over Professor Tracy Westen's USC's CMGT-566 Communication Law and New Technologies class for this evening. Jonathan will be talking about, ah, Communication Law and New Technologies (that makes sense). Jonathan has been a lecturer in Professor Westen's classes for the past 6 years.
Jonathan will be a panelist along with other government and industry officials at the California Wireless Association ("CalWA") educational seminar to be held in Newport Beach, California. For more information, click on the CalWA logo.
January 17: 2009 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Learn about the secret life of laptops, PDA’s and telephones. Understand the threats to attorney-client confidences for attorneys who use mobile technology, and get practical advice on how to protect a law firm’s mobile perimeter. Faculty: Lisa Miller, Esq., Miller Consulting, and Jonathan L. Kramer, Esq., Kramer Telecom Law Firm, P.C. ...followed immediately by... January 17, 2009, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. January 14, 2009: Jonathan will be a co-presenter at the web cast
 SCTE web cast on the DTV conversion titled, "Preparedness and Final Planning Assessments." This is the last in a series of discussions being presented by the SCTE in anticipation of the February 2009 cut-over to DTV. Jonathan will be discussing last minute coordination with local governments to help the public make heads and tails of their television options after the DTV cut-over. The web cast is free to SCTE members, and $60 for others. For sign-up information, please visit this link.
2008 KTLF Stories Archive
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collocation applications must be acted upon on or before Wednesday 2/16/10, and new/other siting applications must be acted upon on or before Saturday 4/17/10 (presumably--but not assuredly--this date will automatically extend to the next regular business day, Monday 4/19/10); and
that collocations applications must be decided within 90 days of (???) and applications for new and other wireless sites must be decided within 150 days of (???). 
Frequency Emissions Safety." The article appears in the Journal's Summer 2009 edition (Vol. 32, No. 3).
As you might guess, the story is about my hobby-turned-profession of taking and publishing high quality, high resolution photographs of wireless facilities. I take the photos to document the good, the bad, and the downright silly designs out there. 
So far, the answers to the FCC seem to be, 'hey, it's our business decision.' Oddly, Apple's position is that "the iPhone isn't nearly a dominant enough player to merit an FCC inquiry." Ah, right...who knew the iPhone wasn't a "dominant enough player" to draw the Commission's attention?
somewhere north of 1,400 site applications to local governments in Southern California. What is very interesting is that Clearwire is using Sprint to carry in the applications, rather than filing the applications on their own. 
Local governments should be clear on who the applicant is, and their rights, to ensure that they properly process those applications under the local municipal code, and that they not accidentally give uncompensated access to the right-of-way for a provider who does not have the right to access the right of way.
Cell Tower Leasing.' These teleconferences are coordinated by Lorman Education Services.
his (in)famous lecture, "I'm from the Government [Planning Department] and I'm Here to Help You" lecture to the Amateur Radio Club of El Cajon, in (of all places) El Cajon, California. 
State Bar of California. A co-presenter with Lisa M. Miller, Esq., Jonathan and Lisa will be addressing the topic, "Top Tech Topics for a Law Practice" (Program 89). The session description is: 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). Although they may be proposed to be collocated on existing wireless sites and towers ... especially Sprint and Nextel sites...in the right-of-way, the lack of a CPCN should be considered for its impact on the planning versus permitting process.
May 28, 2009: The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) has released a major new wireless facilities siting guide geared towards helping local government officials deal with issues that arise in connection with requests to located cell towers and facilities. 
construction of “Overhead and Underground” services for the Telecommunications industry as it applies to California State Law under General Order-95 for Overhead Construction and General Order-128 for Underground Construction. 
California Education Seminar at the San Ramon Marriott Hotel. The panel speakers will include:
Paul Albritton - Telecommunications Attorney,
Jonathan Kramer - Attorney and Municipal Consultant,
Bill Sanders - San Francisco City Attorney, and
Michael Shonafelt - Land Use Attorney
March 26, 2009 10:45 a.m. - Noon: Jonathan will be co-presenter at the League of California Cities Public Works Officers Institute. Jonathan will be speaking on cable TV equipment in the public right-of-way in a session titled, "State Cable Franchise Update: State–of–the– Art or State–of–War?"
