Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

CHAIRMAN PAI STATEMENT ON MAJOR FCC VICTORY IN 5G INFRASTRUCTURE CASE
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WASHINGTON, August 12, 2020—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement today on the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upholding the vast majority of three orders to accelerate the deployment of wireless and wireline broadband infrastructure:

“Today’s decision is a massive victory for U.S. leadership in 5G, our nation’s economy, and American consumers.  The court rightly affirmed the FCC’s efforts to ensure that infrastructure deployment critical to 5G—a key part of our 5G FAST Plan—is not impeded by exorbitant fees imposed by state and local governments, undue delays in local permitting, and unreasonable barriers to pole access.  The wind is at our backs:  With the FCC’s infrastructure policies now ratified by the court, along with pathbreaking spectrum auctions concluded, ongoing, and to come, America is well-positioned to extend its global lead in 5G and American consumers will benefit from the next generation of wireless technologies and services.

“I want to thank FCC staff for their outstanding work in crafting this order and defending this action against short-sighted efforts by those seeking to obstruct 5G deployment.  I also thank Commissioner Carr for his leadership on wireless infrastructure issues.”

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Office of Chairman Pai: (202) 418-1000 / Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC / www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).