[1st-mile-nm] FCC 5G Ruling

[Richard Lowenberg]

There are many articles and points of view on yesterday’s FCC ruling on 
next gen. 5G infrastructure.
Below are links to the FCC ruling, and to a municipalities-oriented 
article from MuniNetworks.

First, a very good page of 5G resources from Next Century Cities.

https://nextcenturycities.org/next-century-cities-5g-resources/

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FCC Facilitates Deployment Of Wireless Infrastructure For 5G 
Connectivity

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-streamlines-deployment-next-generation-wireless-infrastructure

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FCC Stomps on Local Control in Latest Small Cell Decision

Thu, September 27, 2018 | Posted by Lisa Gonzalez
https://muninetworks.org/content/fcc-stomps-local-control-latest-small-cell-decision

On September 26th, Republican FCC Commissioners adopted an Order that 
usurps local control and, in keeping with this administration’s prior 
policy decisions, strengthens the power of the largest companies, 
obtaining nothing in return.

At issue are local governments’ ability to determine the amount of fees 
to charge mobile carriers that want to place 5G equipment in 
rights-of-way. In addition to establishing fees, the Order sets strict 
timelines in which cities and towns must respond to carrier 
applications. The FCC decision eliminates local communities’ ability to 
negotiate in order to protect their own rights-of-way and the poles, 
traffic lights, and other potential structures in them.

To back up their decision to adopt the new policy, the Republican 
controlled FCC relied on the incorrect claims that application and 
attachment fees in larger communities are so excessive that they create 
a burden which prevents carriers from investing in rural communities.

(snip)

The FCC does not require mobile carriers to commit to expanded coverage 
in smaller communities within the Order.

(snip)

In addition to the limits on fees, the Order interferes in the public 
safety and aesthetic requirements communities can require for small 
cells, imposing a reasonableness requirement. The Order sheds little 
light on the “reasonable” standard. For towns that highly value 
aesthetic architectural qualities — as in the case of historic downtown 
districts — the FCC waves away the unique needs of individual 
communities.

(snip)


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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
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