With a broad boost from U.S. Reps. Anna G. Eshoo and Jackie Speier (D-Palo Alto, Hillsborough), a large coalition of Western cities and counties are waging a legal showdown with a shuttered federal government in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals over control of 5G wireless installations. Eshoo's bill, H.R. 530 -- called the Accelerating Wireless Broadband Development by Empowering Local Communities Act of 2019, "essentially resets the clock on the FCC's new rules by erasing what the federal government has implemented in the under-the-wire maneuver." Eshoo noted "5G is essential for our country's communications network and economy, but it must be deployed responsibly and equitably."
Plaza eyes cell nodes and telecommunication regulations
Last week, the Village of Great Neck Plaza introduced legislation to update their laws on telecommunication towers, antennas and other facilities. Mayor Jean Celender described the proposal as aiming to "get ahead" and "be proactive" as new technologies like small cell nodes emerg...
Nokia and China Mobile launch hybrid 5G indoor system
Nokia and China Mobile Research Institute have co-operated to design an indoor network solution that combines passive antennas with 5G radio and Bluetooth beacons. The system "is designed to enable very localized services, reduce the cost of deploying 5G NR indoor coverage and cap...
County, town finalize broadband agreement
An agreement between the town and county of Orange allowing the school system’s broadband project to continue through the town’s right-of-way has been finalized. The agreement allows the project’s contractors to work within the town’s right-of-way laying fi...
Nicasio's fiber optic network goes live
In 2016, the California Public Utilities Commission recommended Inyo Networks, a telecomunications company based in California, to help initiate a project to build Nicasio’s broadband service. The commission also granted to city $1.5 million, 60 percent of the total cost for...
Government-owned broadband is costly — try these alternatives
According to a 2017 report from the University of Pennsylvania that studied 20 municipal broadband projects in the United States, "only two ‘earned enough to expect to cover their project costs during the useful life of the networks.’" Instead of having the government ...
North Myrtle Beach exploring small cell technology regulations
Last week, the North Myrtle Beach’s planning commission unanimously recommended regulations for small cell technology on public property. Myrtle Beach and Conway have also discussed how to regulate small cells, which will become more prevalent when service providers switch t...