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."
Green light for Petersham broadband network
Residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of a ballot measure giving the final green light for a town-wide broadband network in Petersham, MA. Petersham residents "easily agreed to front the $800,000 cost for the utility pole ‘make-ready’ work in order to build a publicl...
Blue Earth County Board looks to expand broadband options
The Blue Earth County Board in Blue Earth County, MN is looking to "kickstart efforts to bring more broadband options and data fiber connections to the area." Commissioner Vance Stuehrenberg called on county officials Tuesday to lay the groundwork for a future public-private data ...
Small cell rollout has Mitchell planners in action
The Mitchell Planning Commission in Mitchell, SD discussed "what the future for cellular coverage in the city will look like, expecting the growth of small cell and 5G technology in the future." The commission discussed a proposed ordinance to regulate small cell facilities. The u...
T-Mobile unexpectedly launches commercial 5G network — in Poland
T-Mobile unexpectedly launched a commercial 5G network in Poland, which is the country’s first. It is starting with a limited geographic area, but has plans to expand over the next year. In a statement, T-Mobile Polska CEO Andreas Maierhofer said, "It’s noteworthy that...
Telstra has its first enterprise 5G customer
Telstra announced the use of its 5G mobile network to connect its first 5G customer, FKG Group, a construction and civil engineering company, using the new HTC 5G Hub. According to Telstra CEO Andy Penn, the contract will enable the telco to test and analyze its 5G network in real...
Cortez seeks public-private partnership on fiber optics
The city of Cortez, Colorado "issued a request for proposals seeking a qualified fiber-to-home company to partner with the city to deliver fiber optic internet connection to all homes and businesses in Cortez." The RFP "seeks companies that could handle financing, design, business...