“The next generation of cellular connectivity will rely on dense, low latency networks. Tomorrow’s networks are being built as wireless carriers and their partners work to deploy small cells around the United States.” This opening paragraph of RCR Wireless’ new publication, Building Tomorrow’s Networks; Best Practices for Deploying Hetnets, sums up a critical facet of the growth of 5G. Without dense implementation of small cells and distributed antenna systems (“DAS”), there will no effective 5G deployment and consequently the Internet of Things (“IoT”) industry would suffer.
Building Tomorrow’s Networks identifies many technical and regulatory stumbling blocks of small cell deployment and suggests how telecom service operators and equipment providers can implement best practices to overcome them. A copy of this publication is available for downloading here.
One such paramount issue is site acquisition. Best practices for site acquisition requires working closely and transparently with local jurisdictions, proposing attachments instead of new construction when possible.
Ron Quirk, head of The CommLaw Group’s IoT Practice is quoted in Building Tomorrow’s Networks, stating that applications for non-invasive antennas, small cells, and related attachments can be rapidly processed by invoking the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) “shot clock” rule. This rule requires local jurisdictions to process “eligible facilities“ applications for modification of existing towers or base stations (i.e., modifications that do not substantially change the facilities’ existing physical dimensions) within 60 days of filing.
To state the obvious, while timely approval of siting applications is important, the implementation of small cells and DAS requires much more in the way of regulatory compliance and legal work. Issues such as spectrum allocation, supplier/service contract negotiations, equipment authorizations, and environmental regulations loom large.
The CommLaw Group can assist your company with small cell and DAS regulatory issues, and well as other aspects of IoT implementation and equipment marketing.
If you would like additional information, please contact IoT attorney Ronald E. Quirk, Jr. at (703) 714-1305 or req@commlawgroup.com. Further information about The CommLaw Group’s Internet of Things practice is available here.
