Cities Make Progress on Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC) Model Code for States

WASHINGTON — July 27, 2018 — Members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC) voted today to continue work on a “Model Code for States” framework for small cell wireless infrastructure deployment. The following statement may be attributed to Angelina Panettieri, principal associate, Technology and Communications at the National League of Cities (NLC):

“NLC is pleased that the BDAC has recognized one of the biggest problems we have identified since the start of this process: that no local officials were involved in the initial working group that drafted the state model code. That omission resulted in many of the harmful provisions we opposed, including the imposition of state franchising, obstruction of municipal broadband, and a harsh limitation of local authority over wireless infrastructure siting.

The BDAC’s decision to strike or table much of the code recognizes that not enough opportunity was given to city stakeholders to provide input on policy matters that have an outsized impact on local communities. Local representatives on the BDAC made a great case during today’s meeting for eliminating the most problematic parts of the state code. We are also pleased by their successful insertion of several amendments that protect consumers and local governments.

We are hopeful that the BDAC will be able to continue work on this code, with a much more balanced group of stakeholders. This is a lesson that local leaders already know from their work in city halls throughout the country: the policy process is complicated and works best when it takes place in an open, fair, deliberative discussion.

NLC was also encouraged by Chairman Pai’s announcement today that the BDAC plans to address communications network resiliency and disaster response. We look forward to ensuring that local officials in the areas most effected by disasters like hurricanes and wildfires are well-represented.”

Thousands of city leaders will gather November 7-10 in Los Angeles, California, for NLC’s annual City Summit conference. City Summit is the only national meeting that offers best practices and networking opportunities for both elected officials and city staff.