Gov. Tom Wolf recently signed House Bill 1621 into law, increasing access to 5G technology by deploying small wireless facilities, which can be attached to an existing utility pole and be as small as a backpack.
In December 2020, the Federal Communications Commission announced it would be awarding $368 million of the $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to bidders in Pennsylvania. The bidders will be required to provide 5G technology to nearly 185,000 Pennsylvanians.
The next auction is expected to begin in 2022.
Local governments and municipalities will have the option to create guidelines for the small wireless facilities and deny any permit that creates a hazard for motorists or pedestrians or violates Americans with Disabilities Act provisions.
State Rep. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver/Butler) sponsored the bill, and State Rep. Robert Matzie (D-Beaver/Allegheny) co-sponsored. State Sen. Patrick Browne (R-Lehigh County) sponsored the companion legislation in the Senate.
“This legislation provides for the uniform, efficient and predictable regulation of small wireless facilities to streamline and accelerate the deployment of the next generation of high-speed wireless broadband throughout Pennsylvania,” Browne, Senate Appropriations Committee chairman, said. “This final product is the result of significant work among wireless providers, our municipalities, and groups representing workers, who do much of the deployment work, to come to this agreed-to legislation.”