My understanding of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) goes back to 1969, which I took a written test to qualify for a third-class engineer’s license with broadcast endorsement. It wasn’t much of a certification. I could read meters on a broadcast transmitter and know enough to contact the chief engineer (with a first-class engineering license) who would handle the issue.
The FCC is the agency that regulates over-the-air broadcasting and wireless communications in general. Lately, commissioners have been knee-deep into the new 5G technology spreading throughout the nation, including Fishers.
Fadness
That’s why the appointment of Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness to the FCC’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee is important news. This will bring Fishers to the national table as decisions are made on the 5G wireless tower rollout.
“I am honored to serve the City of Fishers through this new role, and I look forward to using the learning experiences we have had with the deployment of 5G in our community to advocate for our resident and community’s needs at the Federal level,” said Mayor Fadness in a city news release. “The deployment of this infrastructure has presented many challenges due to federal laws which largely preempt the City’s regulatory authority.
“Notwithstanding, in April 2017, I led our City to take emergency action to implement a waiver process for the residential deployment of 5G infrastructure. Unlike most communities whose residents are afforded no acknowledgment of residential deployment, our waiver process has provided neighborhoods with an opportunity to meet with the telecommunication industry in order to discuss its proposed locations and any reasonable alternatives offered by the neighborhood.
“Just this week, the process achieved consensus on an overwhelming majority of residential permits considered. While the process is far from perfect, we hope that it can effectively balance the Federal government’s desire to quickly implement this technology with the preservation and protection of aesthetics in our residential neighborhoods.”
Verizon Wireless is constructing 5G towers in residential neighborhoods throughout Fishers, with 112 now in place and a total of 400 applications expected this year. Although hamstrung by federal rules, state law allows the city to consider residents’ concerns on the placement of 5G towers in their neighborhoods.