Connecticut Law Establishes 5G Technology Council

A new law in Connecticut establishes a Council on 5G Technology (Council). The Council will oversee the requests of carriers to place wireless (including small wireless) facilities.  Among other things, the law requires the council to (1) adopt guidelines for safely placing personal wireless service facilities and protecting open space land and (2) perform due diligence and review comments from any entities that own property within a 500-foot radius of any state-owned real property under the Council’s review.

The law requires the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to jointly develop, with certain other state agencies, licensing agreements, forms, and fee structures for placing the wireless facilities on state-owned property.  The law also specifies that it does not supersede existing rules and requirements requiring the review and approval of permits for proposed personal wireless service facilities under the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) and the Connecticut Siting Council’s jurisdiction. 

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The Regulatory Mix Today: Connecticut Law Establishes 5G Technology Council, Kentucky Announces Completion of First Phase of High-Speed Fiber Project

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Kentucky Announces Completion of First Phase of High-Speed Fiber Project

The Governor of Kentucky announced major milestone achievement for the Commonwealth’s high-speed fiber optic network – KentuckyWired.  The first portion of the network, known as Ring 1A, is now complete and includes Louisville, Lexington and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. Additionally, a key backbone segment from Lexington to Somerset has also been completed, allowing for expansion of the network into Eastern Kentucky as the project moves into the next phase.

“We are excited today to announce a significant milestone in the Commonwealth's progress toward statewide rural broadband connectivity,” said Gov. Bevin. “The completion of KentuckyWired's initial phase is a major step in extending high-speed internet access into each of our 120 counties.  This vital infrastructure will create powerful opportunities for Kentuckians through enhanced job creation, economic investment, education, health care, and countless other public and private sector services.”

Studies estimate that closing the broadband gap could generate as much as $32 billion in annual economic value.  Reliable, fast internet has also proven key for job growth and creation, with 79 percent of job seekers reporting the use of online resources.  The KentuckyWired network not only has the potential to transform local economies, but will also provide first responders, healthcare providers, and local governments with the connectivity necessary to protect and serve Kentuckians.  When the project is completed, more than 3,000 miles of fiber optic cable will stretch across the state, acting as a “middle mile” network to each of the 120 counties, ultimately connecting the global internet and internet service providers (ISPs). The ISPs will, in turn, provide direct broadband access to individual homes and businesses.

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.