FCC issued notices of apparent liability, including combined prop...

antenna structures and failure to replace lights or repair lighting failure alarm systems “as soon as practicable.” It said tower violations came to light in “routine antenna structure inspections” and related investigations. Some of inspections began after FAA complained about tower light outages, Commission said. FCC is proposing $153,000 fine against AT&T Wireless for 9 violations of Sec. 303 of Communications Act and part of FCC rules and $111,000 against SpectraSite for 6 violations. Commission said fines were based on considerations such as seriousness of safety-related violations and each company’s “prior history of antenna structure rules violations.” Notice said AT&T Wireless’s violations came “within a year of a prior forfeiture against AT&T Wireless for similar violations.” It said: “Our rules relating to tower lighting and marking are important to public safety. AT&T Wireless’s apparent inability to comply with these rules on a consistent basis is very troubling.” Due to those factors, Commission said it tripled base forfeiture amounts. “Future violations will result in even more serious enforcement action,” FCC said. Notice on SpectraSite violations used similarly strong language on repeated violations. Towers at issue included sites in Woodland, Cal.; Bluffdale, Utah; Tyler, Tex.; Fellsmere, Fla.; Center Township, Pa.