The FCC will hold their monthly meeting on August 8th, and Chairman Wheeler has made it a point to discuss the Antenna Structure Report and Order. On the FCC’s blog, Wheeler commented, “I am proposing that we update our rules regarding antenna structure lighting and marking to provide clarity and reduce regulatory burdens on antenna structure owners and licensees. In doing so, we specifically adhere to the FAA’s air safety requirements. More specifically, we will vote at our August meeting on a Report and Order that would streamline and eliminate outdated provisions of the Commission’s Part 17 rules governing the construction, marking, and lighting of antenna structures.” The commission believes that once this piece of the regulatory approval is mandated, the process for wireless infrastructure will be more efficient and effective. “Our efforts will enable the companies that deploy wireless networks to build out quickly without unnecessary burdens and, as a result, benefit American consumers by meeting their demand for more and more wireless service. At the same time, we are committed to preserving safeguards that prevent deleterious impacts on historical, environmental, and local interests.The Report and Order would also make common-sense updates to our rules. For instance, it would change our rules to allow antenna structure owners to report lighting outages by any means acceptable to the FAA, rather than by ‘telephone or telegraph,’” Wheeler said.
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