Taking on the NIMBYs

PCIA—The Wireless Infrastructure Association CEO and President, Jonathan Adelstein, recently penned an article for the Los Angeles Business Journal discussing the need for infrastructure in southern California. The topic of infrastructure needs arose during a conference hosted by USC’s Marshall School of Business where Adelstein was a panelist. Our Zoning and Moaning section is often filled with the struggles tower companies face when attempting to construct a new tower in California. The latest and greatest technology is being created right there in Silicon Beach, but they don’t have the physical infrastructure to allow for effective business communications. “The problem is the very source of creation and extensive use of wireless broadband is also the center of resistance to broadband deployment efforts. SoCal remains a hotbed of innovation and use, and a hotbed of resistance to deployment, usually for spurious reasons,” Adelstein wrote. “We have only begun to realize the power of wireless. Beyond the steady rise in mobile subscriptions, we are witnessing a shift toward more powerful and versatile mobile devices that demand more bandwidth.” The increase in these devices is driving the need for more towers, but a lot of people fight tower proposals tooth and nail. This is why Adelstein says we need to “take on the NIMBYs.” Adelstein explains, “To attain Silicon Beach’s business vision, we need better connectivity. To get better connectivity, we need better facilities. To get approval for such facilities, we need to take on the NIMBYs – those who say ‘not in my backyard’ – and win!”