FCC Chairman Ajit Pai asked the Commission’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee to focus on a new mission. He wants the group to turn its attention to network infrastructure resiliency during the rest of its term and hopes for a vote by a new working group in February. “There’s a lot more work to do and I’m sure you can do it,” he said during Friday’s meeting.
Wireless Infrastructure Association President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein supports Pai’s desire for the new BDAC group to concentrate on network infrastructure resiliency recommendations. “Wireless infrastructure has performed admirably during previous hurricane seasons, and I appreciate the opportunity to share some of the industry’s lessons learned,” stated Adelstein after the meeting.
The BDAC finalized tweaks to the Municipal Model Code. The result was the culmination of months of focus, determination, and compromise, according to Adelstein.
But members have work to do to finalize the State Model Code. One aspect left to determine, is whether to include recommendations concerning cable franchise fees.
One member said during the meeting the fees are a big barrier to broadband deployment because they take time and money to negotiate, yet he also understands localities want to retain control and an income stream. A former Pennsylvania official said when her area received its first cell tower application, “We didn’t know what we were doing,” and would have found such language in a state model code helpful. The group ended up striking that language, but plans to soon revisit that, plus five other aspects that were tabled.
There was much debate about how fast to continue their work. BDAC Chair Elizabeth Bowles, President of Aristotle, an Arkansas-based wireless internet service provider, urged members to get the work done in August. The goal is to have the final recommendations in the FCC’s hands by fall.
July 31, 2018
Reader Interactions