PC Magazine/FOX News: FCC to cities, states: Knock it off with 5G fees, delays

PC Magazine/FOX News: FCC to cities, states: Knock it off with 5G fees, delays

"The FCC's actions also hurt state and local government abilities to negotiate any public interest obligations like buildout requirements or anti-redlining provisions," Michael Copps, a former Democratic FCC commissioner and Common Cause special adviser, said in a statement. "This gives wireless companies even more of an ability to only deploy 5G to the richest parts of a city, leaving low-income areas unserved." The order, Copps argues, is just "a corporate welfare plan that only widens the digital divide."

The FCC on Wednesday voted to ease restrictions on the rollout of equipment needed to deploy 5G networks, but detractors argue the move strips authority from local governments and deprives them of needed revenue. …

Carriers like AT&T says the move “will foster more widespread and robust infrastructure investment.” But groups like Common Cause said it will hurt rural areas that still lack adequate 3G and 4G service.

“The FCC’s actions also hurt state and local government abilities to negotiate any public interest obligations like buildout requirements or anti-redlining provisions,” Michael Copps, a former Democratic FCC commissioner and Common Cause special adviser, said in a statement. “This gives wireless companies even more of an ability to only deploy 5G to the richest parts of a city, leaving low-income areas unserved.”

The order, Copps argues, is just “a corporate welfare plan that only widens the digital divide.”