UPDATE A Florida law aimed to streamline the deployment of 5G technology in the Sunshine State cleared a House Committee earlier this week, reports Florida Politics. The bill, which Inside Towers reported on earlier this month, would limit local municipalities’ authority to regulate the zoning of wireless equipment in public rights-of-way.
“We are trying to be on the forefront of bringing 5G to the state of Florida,” said Republican state Senator Travis Hutson, the sponsor of the bill. “In order to expedite 5G, this bill would streamline that process. Small cells are the building blocks of 5G in Florida, and not only would we stay connected to the internet, it will help cities save energy, decrease traffic congestion, lower fuel costs and help with all our first responders with regard to public safety.”
The bill—titled the “Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act”—would enable wireless companies to install equipment in city-owned rights-of-way. It would require local governments to streamline the building and electrical codes for the towers, exempt the small cells from zoning and land use ordinances, and would limit fees to $15 a year to local governments.
Several provisions of the agreement are still being negotiated before the bill is finalized. It faces unified opposition from municipalities and local governments across the state, but has received the backing of pro-business groups, like the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Some communities have negotiated exemptions from requirements placed upon them by the bill, including the planned community The Villages. Others, like Boca Raton, have vied for an exemption to the bill but have yet receive one.
March 29, 2017
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