Watchdog Praises Ninth Circuit Ruling on FCC Reforms

For Immediate Release
August 12, 2020
Contact: Grace Morgan
(202-855-4380)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) praised the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for upholding the Federal Communications Commissions’ (FCC) infrastructure reforms. Released today, the Court decision upholds the vast majority of three FCC orders meant to streamline deployment of 5G small-cell installations and allow for expanded internet access across the country. Critically, the Ninth Circuit backed the FCC’s 2018 order to limit the fees that localities can charge providers for installing 5G devices in their jurisdictions.

TPA President David Williams praised the Ninth Circuit decision, noting “It is imperative to use every tool at policymakers’ disposal to close the digital divide. Fortunately, FCC reforms promulgated over the past three years have allowed for the rollout of lightning-fast internet services as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.  But some localities have pushed back and insisted on bilking providers for expanding 5G access. The federal agency moved in 2018 to limit these abuses, and now, the Ninth Circuit has sent a powerful message affirming the FCC’s actions. Today is a good day for the hundreds of millions of Americans who rely on the digital domain.”

Williams continued: “Internet providers estimate that the U.S. will be home to more than 1 million small cell deployments by 2024, regulations permitting. The FCC’s actions streamlining infrastructure rules and curtailing local obstacles to deployment have certainly sped up this process and now providers have the reassurance they need to continue their pivotal work. Investments in the digital domain have totaled more than $1.5 trillion over the past twenty years, enabling more Americans than ever before to have access to cutting-edge digital services. Now they are free to continue expanding internet access and deploy the latest generation of wireless services. And, this recent Court ruling frees up the FCC to pursue even more cost-cutting, pro-innovation reforms.”

Williams concluded: “The struggle for faster, more reliable internet across the country is far from over. Tens of millions of Americans still lack access to a steady internet connection and the FCC should continue to examine ways to bridge the digital divide. But today’s ruling by the Ninth Circuit is a pivotal step in the right direction and encouraging for providers and unserved Americans. Now is the time for even more reform and streamlining to bolster the digital domain.  Taxpayers and consumers are thankful that more barriers are being knocked down to close the digital divide.”

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