West Virginia is 22nd state to adopt rules for 5G small cell deployments

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and the CTIA have both congratulated West Virginia as being the latest state to adopt new rules they say will streamline 5G small cell deployments. The legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Jim Justice last week, limits government fees and speeds review periods for the build out of small cells. It allows localities to charge up to $25 per year for the use of the right-of-way and $65 per year for attachment of small cells to certain utility poles, and it requires localities to approve or disapprove of small cell attachments generally within 60 days of applications.“West Virginia’s leaders recognize the opportunity that 5G will create for its economy, education, and healthcare,” said Commissioner Carr in a statement. “By setting limits on government fees and review periods, they will speed next-gen broadband deployment throughout the Mountain State.”Twenty-two states have enacted legislation aimed at greasing the bureaucratic wheels for wireless carriers deploying 5G small cell infrastructure. Two other states addressed streamlining wireless facility deployments for 4G years ago. All told, there are now 24 states with small cell laws on the books. These states include Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and now West Virginia, according to BroadbandNow, a broadband coverage and policy research company.