Young, Brooks, FCC commissioner announce federal-level 5G plan in Indiana

U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) and U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) this week helped unveil a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plan at the Indiana Statehouse that aims to more quickly unleash fifth-generation wireless, or 5G, the newest cellular technology designed to significantly ramp up the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks.

Rep. Brooks and Sen. Young joined FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and Indiana State Sen. Jim Merritt (R)  on Sept. 4 to announce the 5G plan, which is modeled on the small cell bills enacted in 20 states -– including Indiana. Carr’s plan is scheduled for a vote at the FCC’s Sept. 25 meeting.

“High-speed connectivity drives jobs, economic growth, education, and improved healthcare outcomes,”  Sen. Young said. “Behind forward-thinking officials at the state level, Indiana has been a real leader in passing smart, effective regulatory reforms to the state’s siting laws.

“Now the FCC needs to ensure America is leading in the race with the rest of the world,” he noted.

Rep. Brooks, a co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional 5G Caucus, said the 5G service will support myriad emerging technologies, including telemedicine and enhanced public safety communications, among others.

“I am proud to be here today in Indianapolis for this announcement and I look forward to our state’s continued leadership so all Hoosiers can experience the benefits of the next generation of wireless connectivity,” the home-state congresswoman said.

Small cell legislation basically reforms old laws typically designed for macro-cells — the 200-foot towers used to transmit wireless service across large areas, according to a statement from the senator’s office. Small cells, in comparison, are the size of small backpacks and most often get attached to existing structures, such as street light poles or buildings.

Under such bills, local governments would charge providers limited fees to process construction and permitting applications for small cells and also would be required to issue decisions on small cell deployment within a shorter time frame.

Indiana approved its reform measure in 2017 to open up the market for small cell deployment, which has resulted in enormous investments from wireless providers, according to Sen. Young’s office.

In fact, two wireless providers plan to offer 5G-capable service in Indianapolis this year, according to the statement, which noted that providers have built more than 1,000 small cells in 30 communities across Indiana, so far.

At the federal level, Carr said the FCC’s similar plan would save $2 billion in fees, stimulate $2.5 billion in additional small cell deployments, and create more than 27,000 jobs nationwide, according to recent economic analysis showing the plan also would enable two million more homes to be served by small cells — 97 percent of them in rural and suburban communities.  

“5G will create jobs, improve education, and promote public safety. But to upgrade our networks, we must upgrade our regulations,” said Carr. “Policymakers can’t claim success if 5G is only deployed in big cities like New York and San Francisco.

“Those ‘must serve’ cities will get next-gen mobile broadband almost regardless of what we do,” the FCC commissioner added. “Success means every community getting a fair shot at 5G. To achieve that success, we need to update our rules to match this revolutionary new technology.”

State Sen. Merritt, an author of Indiana’s small-cell reform legislation, said lawmakers are eager to reduce burdensome regulations to encourage all kinds of forthcoming investments in the state’s local communities.

“We made common-sense changes in our state law to encourage wireless investment, and those efforts are paying off in a tremendous way,” said Merritt. “This new technology is going to change our world significantly, and I believe Commissioner Carr’s proposals will have that same positive effect on the rest of the nation.”