Room for State, Federal Actions on 5G Infrastructure Say Wireless Officials
Wireless companies see room for state and federal rules on siting of 5G small-cells infrastructure, said CTIA and Wireless Infrastructure Association officials on a NATOA webinar Wednesday. Four states have passed small-cells bills, and several more bills are moving in…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
other states (see 1704240023), and the FCC approved a rulemaking last week on ways to speed wireless infrastructure deployment (see 1704200037). States should have autonomy to act decisively now, said CTIA Senior Vice President-State Affairs Jamie Hastings. CTIA recognizes “cookie-cutter” legislation doesn’t work and is proud state bills passed so far have different language, addressing concerns specific to localities in each state, she said. States can be a good “incubator” for policies and there’s room for states to act now to codify policies, said WIA Senior Government Affairs Counsel Van Bloys. It’s important to have a national set of guidelines as well, but there are areas where state legislation may go further or be more tailored than FCC rules, he said. Localities should view the proposed laws not as wireless bills but as "jobs and economic development bills," Hastings said. Cities and towns will retain local oversight over the permitting process and the right to deny applications that don't meet objective requirements, said CTIA Director-State Legislative Affairs Beth Cooley. Municipalities will retain a key role, especially for siting of new structures, added Bloys.