Friday, June 12, 2020

FCC Releases its Newly-Approved 5G Upgrade Order

The FCC has released the 5G Upgrade Order, which it approved at its June 9 public meeting. As stated in my blog post from May 20, the "FCC's 5G Upgrade Order Will Fast-Track Improvements to Wireless Networks." As summarized by the Commission's news release from June 9:
The Declaratory Ruling adopted today clarifies the Commission's 2014 rules with regard to when the 60-day shot clock for local review begins. The ruling also clarifies how certain aspects of proposed modifications – height increases, equipment cabinet additions, and impact on concealment elements and aesthetic conditions – affect eligibility for streamlined review under section 6409(a). In addition, today's action clarifies that, under the Commission's rules on environmental and historic preservation review, FCC applicants do not need to submit environmental assessments based only on potential impacts to historic properties when parties have entered into a memorandum of agreement to mitigate effects on those properties.  
Congratulations go to the Commission and to Commissioner Brendan Carr on the 5G Upgrade Order's approval. 
In addition to clarifying rules regarding non-substantial modifications to existing cell sites eligible for streamlined permit processing under Section 6409(a) of the Spectrum Act, the Commission's order also proposes rule changes regarding deployments outside the boundaries of existing tower sites for purposes of streamlined review.