5G Roll-Outs Should Get A Boost With FCC’s Loosened Rules On Small Cells, DAS

The Federal Communications Commission has established new rules that should give mobile operators some slack in rolling out small cells and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), especially in preparation for their respective future deployments of their 5G network service in the United States market. The new rules were issued by the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and they basically do away with historic preservation review for small facility roll outs such as small cells and DAS across the country that do not have an adverse effect on historic sites and locations. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) signed the agreement.

The move was met with positive reactions all across the wireless industry. Gary Jabara, the chief executive officer of Mobilitie, has stated that the FCC’s new rules should contribute immensely in encouraging more cooperation among federal, state, and local communities in pushing for innovation when it comes to wireless services for consumers and business owners alike. Jabara pointed out that apart from ensuring that the US wireless market remain competitive, the FCC’s loosened rules will also make small cell roll outs play an important role in expanding the range of connectivity services available to cities and towns, especially areas often dealing with network congestion problems. Mobilitie is currently joining forces with major US wireless carrier Sprint in deploying small cells across America in support of the latter’s 2.5 GigaHertz spectrum. But Mobilitie has had to deal with various local zoning issues for small cell attachments to objects like utility poles and street lamps.

Scott Bergman, the assistant vice president of regulatory affairs for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (a wireless lobbying firm), has pointed out that while the FCC’s loosened rules will no doubt make things easier, there is still a lot of things to be done. He believes that streamlining infrastructure policies at all levels of government is key, so as to allow wireless service provides to make their 5G tech made available sooner to the public.

The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), which represents wireless network infrastructure providers, has issued a statement saying that the FCC’s decision will allow future 5G related services to become a reality by minimizing obstacles with regards to regulatory matters when deploying wireless infrastructure. The WIA also cited this latest development as proof that government agencies and the telecoms industry can indeed team up in order to roll out wireless infrastructure that will not only protect historic resources, but also expand on them as well.