Commissioner Carr Testimony at Senate Commerce Field Hearing on 5G

Spending time like this outside of DC—hearing directly from community leaders and broadband providers alike—is critical. I can think of no better way to identify both the regulatory barriers that needlessly slow down broadband deployment and the steps we can take back in Washington to remove them. As this hearing makes clear, spectrum and infrastructure are key for 5G. So I want to start by commending the [Senate Commerce] Committee for leading on these two issues. Chairman John Thune (R-SD) championed the MOBILE NOW Act, which frees up the spectrum necessary for next-generation wireless service. And on the infrastructure side, I want to acknowledge both Chairman Thune and Sen Brian Schatz (D-HI) for their work on the bipartisan STREAMLINE Small Cell Deployment Act. This bill would update our nation’s infrastructure policies by cutting the red tape that threatens the deployment of 5G networks. At the Federal Communications Commission, we are building on your efforts, and we recognize that the time to act is now.