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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
5G DEPLOYMENT AND CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL STAKE HOLDERS
______
HON. GARRET GRAVES
of louisiana
in the house of representatives
Friday, January 10, 2020
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, this week the House considers
important pieces of legislation related to the global race to 5G. 5G is
the newest iteration of wireless technology, and as telecommunications
companies and service providers begin deploying their digital cellular
networks, I want to take a moment to discuss an important aspect of the
5G rollout: consultation with local governments and homeowners.
Last year, the 5G rollout began in my district in parts of Baton
Rouge. The utility poles needed to support the new small wireless
facilities and other 5G infrastructure are being installed in public
rights of way in front of homes. While it is absolutely an economic and
national security priority to win the race to 5G, it is vital that
Congress consider the impact that this rollout will have on communities
across America.
In June, I sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission
Chairman Ajit Pai outlining my concerns and urging service providers to
work closely with local stake holders as they install this new
technology infrastructure.
Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following letter to the
FCC from June 13, 2019.
Congress of the United States,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, June 13, 2019.
Hon. Ajit Pai,
Chairman, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Pai: Recently, telecommunications service
providers have begun installing the new wireless broadband
infrastructure that is necessary to support 5G in cities
across America, including Baton Rouge. While I share your
appreciation for the tremendous role that technology plays,
both in the economy and in the lives of its users, I am
concerned by the roll out of these small-cell facilities in
homes and neighborhoods across my district.
A technological transformation of 5G's magnitude requires a
massive support structure, but that deployment cannot come at
the expense of property values and neighborhood aesthetics,
especially in historic communities. America's 5G leadership
is an important national priority, but even a national
priority demands consultation with local stakeholders. I
respectfully ask you to encourage wireless carriers to
collaborate with municipalities on the placement and design
of these new transmission systems.
Additionally, recent reports by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) suggest that the
5G network could interfere with satellite data, reducing the
accuracy of weather forecasting by as much as 30 percent. I
urge you to work closely with the NOAA, NASA, and any other
stakeholders to investigate any potential effects of 5G on
our nation's ability to forecast and prepare for severe
weather events.
As the FCC continues to oversee the deployment of the 5G
network, we must remember that the rollout is not happening
in isolation. It is crucial to consider the effects that
these innovations will have on existing technologies and
communities across America. Thank you for your prompt
attention to these important issues.
Sincerely,
Garret Graves,
Member of Congress.
