WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President of Environment, Technology, & Regulatory Affairs William Kovacs issued the following statement today following Senate introduction of a resolution in support of 5G technology:
“The U.S. Chamber applauds Senators Wicker and Schatz and those who cosponsored the resolution today recognizing the importance of 5G networks for the future of this country. Small cell and 5G technology have the ability to be an economic game changer for the economy because of the benefits it will bring to smart cities, telemedicine, public safety and education. 5G and small cell networks have the capability to add 3,000,000 new jobs and $5 billion in GDP.
“Unfortunately, too many regulatory impediments on the federal, state, and local level stand in the way of all communications and broadband projects. There are solutions to many of these deployment roadblocks.
“Congress should undo one of the most severe regulatory impairments to broadband investment by enacting net neutrality legislation that does not treat broadband like a public utility. The Federal Communications Commission can use its authority to preempt unreasonable fees charged by localities to site cable, phone, and internet equipment on public lands. Additionally, communications project developers can take advantage of the benefits of the FAST-41 federal permit streamlining legislation enacted in 2015.
“Removing regulatory hurdles to communications development will help connect all Americans and achieve real economic growth.”
