UPDATE The Florida state legislature wants to implement statewide standards dictating the installation of small cells, but municipalities are fighting to keep control in their hands. Legislators, on the other hand, want to be ready for new 5G technology. Rep. Mike La Rosa, who supports bills to that effect, says the legislation will benefit the state. “At the end of the day, I want to make sure Florida is ahead of the technology curve,” he explained.
The Financial News & Daily Record explains municipalities do not agree. The bills under consideration take away control of small cell placement from cities and counties, and set a standard rent fee that will lower costs for technology companies.
Carriers would benefit drastically from the change. HB 687 and SB 596 would limit the annual rent fee for each small cell site to $15 a year. Some agreements already in place charge as much as $2,000 for each installation, and studies performed by Florida House staff determined the state Department of Transportation receives $1.8 million annually from space on utility poles it owns.
The goal in cutting rent prices is a “swifter influx of capital investment in small wireless facilities,” says a staff report. The bills do not cut out local governments completely. They will still be able to deny or approve applications based on zoning codes, but will not be able to severely limit the progress of 5G technology.
So far, the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee approved HB 687 sponsored with a 12-2 vote. It will be debated on the House floor if the House Commerce Committee approves. SB 596 was also approved by the Senate Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities Committee in a 7-1 vote earlier this month. However, the support of two more committees is needed before it is discussed by the Senate.
March 23, 2017
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