Governor Tom Wolf’s approval of a new law should make it easier for all parties involved in the installation of 5G to match expectations and streamline deployment. As reported by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, the new ruling sets up clear guidelines that will no longer vary from municipality to municipality. The clearly spelled out ground rules set timelines and notification parameters that will allow telecoms, townships, labor unions, and neighbors to know what to expect and plan ahead.
“Pennsylvania has yet to tap into the truly transformative power of 5G, primarily because we haven’t advanced a legislative framework to deploy the infrastructure,” said spokesperson Ashley Henry Shook, representing the Pennsylvania Partnership for 5G.
Under the new law, 5G deployment will follow the same procedures across the state, eliminating the need to haggle with each individual community. If a permit asks to add 5G equipment to an existing pole, the municipality has 60 days to approve or deny the request. A request to add a new pole has been given a 90 day review window. Failure to respond within the allotted time period will result in an automatic approval.
CTIA Senior Vice President of External and State Affairs, Jamie Hastings said, “CTIA applauds the passage of Pennsylvania House Bill 1621. This legislation will help expand next-generation wireless broadband access and ensure the benefits of the 5G Economy can be delivered to communities across the Commonwealth. According to research from Boston Consulting Group, 5G deployment will add more than $45 billion in GDP growth to the Commonwealth’s economy and create 126,500 Pennsylvania jobs by 2030.”
“Everybody wants it,” said Dave Sanko, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors. “The measure passed the Pennsylvania state legislature with almost unanimous approval. This is the most municipal-friendly 5G bill in the country.”
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