Modeo Receives Permission to Increase Transmission Power From FCC

HOUSTON, Feb. 28 -- Modeo, the mobile broadcast affiliate of Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE: CCI), announced today that it has received permission from the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") to increase the transmission power of its 1670-75 Megahertz (MHz) L-band spectrum license, purchased in 2003. Modeo, which is developing an offering of live digital television and audio broadcast and podcasting to mobile devices, such as wireless phones, launched a commercial quality mobile beta service in New York City in December 2006.

"We appreciate very much Chairman Martin's leadership and the FCC's adoption of our request to increase the permitted transmission power associated with our nationwide spectrum," said John P. Kelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crown Castle. "The ability to operate at higher power levels in both urban and rural areas enables Modeo to significantly reduce the anticipated operating and capital costs related to the network, as well as provide increased flexibility to optimize network performance. This ruling puts Modeo in a much improved position to serve potential customers."

"Obtaining this waiver from the FCC is a critical milestone for Modeo," commented Michael Ramke, President of Modeo. "Our preliminary assessment of the increased power limit indicates up to an 80 percent reduction in the number of transmission sites required to cover a market. This should translate into a more efficient network build program from both a speed to market and cost perspective. We see this as a big win for Modeo and U.S. consumers and look forward to the positive impact of the power waiver."

The increase in permitted transmission power comes at an important time in the development of Modeo's mobile TV initiative. Modeo formally announced details of its commercial quality beta service in the New York City metropolitan area earlier this year. Participants in the service include formal beta participants as well as a select group of wireless carriers, digital communication providers, reporters, industry analysts, financial analysts and content providers. Modeo anticipates several hundred users will participate during the course of the Modeo beta service.

The FCC's approval is consistent with Modeo's formal request to the FCC on Aug. 9, 2005 to increase the aggregate peak power limit from 2 kilowatts (kW) Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) for Modeo's 5 MHz spectrum license to 4 kW per MHz, for fixed and base station operations in urban and suburban areas and to 8 kW per MHz in rural areas. The approval increases the aggregate permitted transmission power for Modeo's 5 MHz of spectrum from 2 kW to 20 kW in urban and suburban areas and 40 kW in rural areas. The FCC's approval is initially limited to the 30 Cellular Market Areas ("CMAs") specified in Modeo's Initial Market Deployment Plan filed with the FCC, which covers approximately 40 percent of the US population.