Clouds

Membership

Why Join RTG?

RTG is extremely aware of the important issues that effect small, rural wireless operators. The association consistently petitions the FCC  to make sure its members’ voices are heard. RTG’s legal council regurlarly tackles issues that include TV White Spaces, handsets, USF Caps, Service Rules for AWS and Spectrum Band Plans.  As a member of RTG, you can be confident that your needs as a rural operator are well represented.

RTG carrier members receive exclusive discounts on our associate members’ products and services. For more information about these benefits, please contact RTG’s Executive Director, Tanya Sullivan.

RTG also keeps its membership informed and educated. The association hosts webinars on the latest issues and technologies that affect the wireless industry. Members also attend RTG’s annual meeting/conference and other telecommunications events the association co-hosts with leading industry organizations such as the Rural Independent Competitive Alliance (RICA), the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) and the Organizations for the Promotion and Advancemnet of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO).

Vendors have the ability to provide thier products and services to a vibrant, growing, wireless trade association. There are various opportunities to network with our carrier members. You can present your company’s technologies at our conferences or via a webinar, receive member discounts when you exhibit at our trade shows, place a banner ad on our website, sit on our Board and join our committees and councils.

Membership Categories, Dues and Applications

Voting Members – Carriers (Carrier 1, Carrier 2 and Carrier 3)

A Voting (Carrier) member is an FCC licensee or one that leases spectrum from an FCC licensee with under 100,000 subscribers.

  • Carrier 1 (0 to 2,000 wireless subscribers) – Dues: $3,000
  • Carrier 2 (2,001 to 10,000 wireless subscribers) – Dues: $6,000
  • Carrier 3 (10,001 to 100,000 wireless subscribers) – Dues: $10,000
  • Voting (Carrier) Member Application

Supporting Members

  • Resellers of wireless services, unlicensed providers of service and affiliated companies of Voting Members.
  • Dues: $4,000
  • Supporting Member Application

Associate Members

  • Any company providing goods or services to the rural wireless industry (consulting firms, law firms, engineering firms, suppliers and those companies not otherwise qualifying as a Voting or Supporting Member).
  • Dues: $2,500
  • Associate Member Application

2012 Tax Status

Dues payments to RTG are NOT deductible as charitable contributions for federal tax purposes. However, dues payments may be deductible as an “ordinary and necessary” business expense. The passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Clinton 1993 Tax Act) limits the deductibility of dues payment to associations. The portion of dues payment used for lobbying expenses by the association is no longer deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. We have determined that the deductible portion of RTG dues for 2012 is 80.00%.