ExteNet Seeks More State Small-Cell Laws to Reduce Litigation
All ExteNet litigation with municipalities over infrastructure permitting disputes are in states without small-cell laws, said Senior Counsel-Regulatory Affairs Haran Rashes at the Wireless Infrastructure Association's virtual Connect(X) event Wednesday. He has seen “very few problems” in states with small-cell…
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laws. It’s easiest for ExteNet to work in states with deemed granted language in their bills, and the company hopes to defeat bills in some states on issues that could raise costs, including RF safety and backup power, he added. After Alabama became the 31st state to enact a law last week (see 2102220012), New Jersey is furthest along with a small-cell bill (A-1116), said Rashes. Municipalities and industries have compromised on the measure. Several bills in New York are “promising,” he added. Rashes wishes for policies in Massachusetts and California, where localities have given the company “some real headaches.” No new small-cell bills are on tap in California, where a previous bill was vetoed, but speeding infrastructure deployment is part of the state’s current conversation on “internet for all,” said Roxanne Gould, WIA consultant in California. Broadband is moving to the “front of the line” as a top priority, she said. Many bills have been introduced, but the dust hasn’t settled on what will pass, she said. Wildfire response was a top California priority in 2020 and will continue to be this year, she noted.