Adelstein Urges PA Legislature to Pass Small Cells Bill

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Pennsylvania could join 28 other states on the road to 5G, but the state legislature needs to pass a small cells bill in order to do that, according to Wireless Infrastructure President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein.

In an OpEd written for the Philadelphia Inquirer, the wireless association executive and former FCC Commissioner explains that Pennsylvania House Bill 1400 streamlines deployment of small cells on utility poles, or other public rights-of-way, such as along roadways or traffic lights or street lights. 5G and passage of the measure, “will spur jobs, economic growth, and new investment across the Keystone state,” writes Adelstein.

As Pennsylvanians increasingly rely on advanced wireless services, the wireless industry continues to invest in deploying more wireless infrastructure, and that investment would only continue to grow with the advent of 5G, according to the wireless association executive. “5G will enable new and innovative applications, such as telemedicine, autonomous vehicles, and increased educational and training opportunities,” Adelstein explains.

HB 1400 would also open Pennsylvania to an infusion of private capital investment. “Recent studies estimate that, with the right regulatory environment, the wireless industry will invest billions of dollars throughout Pennsylvania, including $2.4 billion in Philadelphia, $460 million in Pittsburgh, and over $100 million in cities such as Allentown, Reading, Scranton, and Lancaster. Equally noteworthy, this large amount of private capital would also bring thousands of jobs,” writes Adelstein.

HB 1400 balances the needs of the wireless industry — leveraging existing infrastructure when possible, uniform permitting instructions, a clear and predictable process, and fixed cost-based fees — with the interests of the community. Not only will 5G bring jobs to the state, the updated wireless technology can reshape education, strengthen public safety, and streamline transportation industries, says the executive.   

According to WIA, to-date, 28 states have enacted legislation to modernize and streamline state rules for small cell deployment: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

August 2, 2019     

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