Localities Press FCC Not to Disrupt Local Laws Spurring Broadband Competition in Buildings
Local officials urged the FCC to protect local laws promoting "competitive broadband access" in apartment buildings and other multiple tenant environments. "The Commission lacks the legal authority to insert itself into the relationship between local governments and property owners via…
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Section 253 preemption authority" of the Communications Act, said a filing Friday in docket 17-142 of representatives of Boston; Portland, Oregon; and Maryland's Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties on a discussion with Wireline Bureau staffers. The local officials -- who included NATOA President-elect Mike Lynch of Boston and who filed August reply comments on the agency's inquiry (see 1708230040) -- said the FCC wouldn't have any ability to exercise Title II telecom authority if it adopts its proposal to reclassify broadband as a Title I information service. They said the FCC "must include additional local voices" on its Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee, which recently added a third local representative (see 1709010046).