Slew of Tower Fines

In early January 2015, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau’s Western Region Director issued four forfeiture orders on the same day, fining tower owners from Alaska to Nevada for violating the FCC’s tower rules.

The fines included one for $6,000 and three for $8,000, all for failing to exhibit required lighting. Efforts to promptly correct lighting outages, or excuses like power outages, did not sway the FCC. In a few cases, history of prior compliance was considered to slightly reduce the fines.

Even in remote tower locations, the FCC is paying attention. Tower owners – in remote areas or not — should remain vigilant, monitoring, reporting and logging tower outages and repairs to avoid fines.