5G Forces a Local Control Struggle

"Anxiety around the deployment [of 5G wireless Internet technology] has only been heightened in the wake of a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision handed down last year to accelerate approval times and cap fees that cities could charge for installing small cells, the infrastructure needed for 5G," reports Chris Teale.

"While some have turned to litigation to try and overturn the ruling — a bill pending in Congress would do the same — some experts suggest cities prepare a strong roll out plan for 5G."

Teale is sharing insights into just what form such local plans could take, shared by participants at the recent Smart Cities Connect conference in National Harbor, Maryland.

Previous coverage from Planetizen provides background on the ongoing debate between local governments and the federal government on the rollout of 5G technology.

• Feds Streamline Approvals for 5G Infrastructure (March 2018)
• Cities Sue Feds Over 5G Rules (October 2018)
• 2019 Already a Big Year For 'Smart City' Evolution (April 2019)
• 4 Regulatory Complications of 5G Infrastructure Development (May 2019)
• U.S. Falling Behind in Smart City Deployments and Key 21st Century Infrastructure (July 2019)