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."
Communication breakdown could imperil the 5G rollout
Before 5G can come to New York, the city will have to speed up the process of granting access to light and traffic poles, which will be crucial parts of the 5G infrastructure in the areas of greatest demand. This is the complaint several telecommunications companies have been maki...
Gov. Lee announces $14.8M in broadband grants to expand service in 17 counties
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced $14.8 million in broadband accessibility grants. The grants are part of a plan to expand broadband service to "more than 8,300 households and businesses across 17 Tennessee counties." In a statement, Gov. Lee said he is "committed to ensuring ...
Virginia electric utilities wiring rural areas for broadband
Virginia lawmakers have taken steps to address geographic disparities in broadband coverage by passing a bill that will give the state’s two largest electric utilities, Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power, the green light to provide broadband internet service to unserved a...
City Council considers blocking any future sale of Baltimore's 700-mile underground conduit system
Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young is the lead sponsor on a bill filed yesterday that would seek a charter amendment in November 2020 to permanently revoke the authority of city officials to sell "Baltimore’s 700-mile, century-old underground conduit sy...
As New Orleans rolls out first 5G devices, some residents see an unwelcome addition
In light of small cell deployments throughout New Orleans, there is a debate over safety concerns. Some residents have expressed concern over the devices’ proximity to homes. One resident, Harvey Stern, opposes the devices "chiefly because he is concerned about the effect th...
5G is how CEO of wireless infrastructure company spells opportunity
Crown Castle CEO Jay Brown spoke with Texas Inc. about Crown’s progress in deploying fifth generation wireless technology. When asked how the rollout of 5G is going in Houston and other cities, Brown responded, "In Houston and other large cities, we’re focused on deplo...