FCC says small cells will close the digital divide. Most say they won't

Many local officials, engineers and wireless consultants contend that changes Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai advocates to limit local regulation of small-cell permitting, design, fees and other charges used to access cities’ public rights of way won’t do anything to close the digital divide. What they will do, these critics charge, is increase profits for the wireless industry, which wants to cash in on a 5G market that is estimated to grow to $250 billion in annual service revenue in seven years. At the center for the debate: rules the FCC is considering that would reduce the time cities and counties have to review applications for small cells. The FCC is also giving thought to limiting local requirements on designs and capping how much localities can charge wireless carriers for use of public property, all discussed in two FCC dockets approved last year. Wireless companies argue local governments take too long to approve the cells and charge too much to use rights of way.