Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 21, 2020 11:10 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Patrick M. Browne |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Small Wireless Facilities Deployment |
| I will shortly be introducing companion legislation to House Bill 1400, new legislation to provide for the uniform, efficient and predictable regulation of small wireless antennas to improve the provisioning and deployment of the next generation of high-speed wireless broadband throughout the Commonwealth. Wireless communication services have become an integral part of our everyday lives. Public safety, security, education, entertainment, health care, fitness and finance all depend on a robust, modern wireless network. Our lives at home, work and school are more connected than ever due to the proliferation of wireless services. This has never been more true than now during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased internet traffic per day by an average of 20-25%. Massive migrations from office buildings and office parks to home offices have challenged the current networks and highlighted the need to ensure reliable and available connectivity for people across the Commonwealth, even in areas that traditionally have not seen the volume of wireless and internet communication. Due to closures of schools, major shifts to online learning solutions for hundreds of thousands of kids have underscored the need for strong connectivity in all neighborhoods. Connectivity assurances are critical for our first responders and healthcare workers who are on the front lines, not only during COVID-19, but every day. While we will eventually return to our regular routines, there is no question that the way we operate in our daily and working lives has and will continue to change. Even before the COVID-19 health crisis, the increase in wireless communication has been tremendous. Over half of Pennsylvanians have cut their traditional landline and communicate solely through their wireless device. More than 70% of all 911 calls are now made from wireless devices. Additionally, the rate of wireless data transmission continues to experience exponential growth, with estimates that mobile data traffic will be nearly six times what it was just three years ago. Wireless companies report that data traffic on their network has increased over 470,000% in the past 12 years. In order to meet those ever-growing demands, the wireless industry is deploying “Small Cell” facilities in our Commonwealth. However, because investment decisions are made municipality by municipality, wireless providers may face varying and inconsistent fees and procedures that slow their ability to deploy this new and modern infrastructure. With an array of municipal ordinances governing wireless infrastructure siting, compliance time-consuming and costly. The FCC approved an order streamlining the process for the installation of small cells which went into effect in January of 2019. This legislation builds on that action and provides additional certainty and implementation guiderails specific to Pennsylvania that are intended to benefit all parties. In addition, this legislation preserves local government authority over zoning and land use, including the ability to approve or deny wireless infrastructure siting permit applications consistent with common-sense limitations. It also provides protections to municipalities to ensure that smaller staffs will not be overwhelmed with small cell applications. I believe this legislation is a balanced approach that encourages wireless providers to deploy the most modern infrastructure for Pennsylvanians while maintaining local government authority over their rights-of-way. The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how important connectivity is for all Pennsylvanians. All areas across the state have and will see increases in the need for quick, reliable and accessible wireless connection and high-speed communication. Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation. |