Pictured left to right: John Emra (President, AT&T Connecticut) and CT Gov. Ned Lamont
On Monday, July 15, 2019, Governor Lamont signed into law Connecticut Public Act No. 19-163, a critical piece of legislation that will accelerate the rollout of the next generation 5G wireless technology in the state. A copy of the Act is included here.
Christopher B. Fisher, Managing Partner of Cuddy & Feder LLP, who was directly involved in the bill drafting process, outlined the legislation’s four critical components:
1) It streamlines review of state-owned properties for leasing for towers, rooftop facilities and small cells through a 5G Council that will vote up or down within 90 days of a request to lease a specific property for use as a wireless facility;
2) It incorporates the FCC’s 2018 small cell order and definitions as requires the State DOT to authorize access to highways for small cells as a matter of state law;
3) It sets up a working group to streamline access to municipal owned poles for small cell siting where that will be required, particular in urban areas where utilities are often undergrounded; and
4) It preserves PURA and Siting Council regulatory jurisdiction over utility pole attachments and new poles which has been effective to date with hundreds of small cells already deployed across Connecticut.
Fisher remarked that “The legislation will certainly help accelerate the deployment of 5G technology and infrastructure.” “We look forward to working with our clients, the 5G Council and cities and towns throughout Connecticut to develop license templates and a streamlined process for small cell siting to achieve the 5G goals articulated by Governor Lamont.”
View the bill signing ceremony here.
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