On January 15,
2019, Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced
the "Accelerating
Wireless Broadband Development by Empowering Local Communities Act of 2019" (H.R. 530), which would
overturn FCC rules that preempt local government regulations on the deployment
of 5G infrastructure.
As I illustrated
in a September
2018 infographic, the FCC's
Wireless
Infrastructure Order facilitated 5G deployment by reducing unnecessary
regulatory barriers and limiting unjustified fees imposed by local governments.
One study
by CMA Strategy found that the FCC’s Order will increase broadband infrastructure
investment by $2.4 billion and deploy next-generation access to an additional
1.8 million homes and business, of which 97% will be concentrated in rural and
suburban areas.
By overturning the
FCC's Order, Representative Eshoo's bill would enable local governments to levy
excessive fees and lengthy regulatory processes on broadband providers, slowing
the deployment of 5G technology and delaying the creation of 5G’s massive
economic benefits.
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