Media Contact: 
Will Adams (202) 418-2007
Will.Adams@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

Carr Lauds Ninth Circuit Decision Upholding Small Cell Reforms

WASHINGTON, August 12, 2020—Commissioner Brendan Carr issued the following statement in response to this morning’s Ninth Circuit decision that upheld key reforms in the small cell order Carr led:

“I am pleased that the Ninth Circuit affirmed the wireless infrastructure reforms we adopted in September 2018.  I thank the Commission staff who carefully crafted the order, and I congratulate the Office of General Counsel for their successful defense of our work.

“Small cells that power 5G were threatened by exorbitant fees and unnecessary delays—red tape that was tolerated when building macro towers but would have brought small cell deployment to a halt.  The Commission wisely right-sized review to reflect new technology, and I’m proud that over the last two years our reforms have resulted in more small cell investment than ever before.

“Ultimately, the wireless infrastructure docket I’ve led is about 5G jobs, education, and healthcare—opportunities and services that we’ve valued all the more through the pandemic.  Our sensible fee limits, shot clocks, and guardrails on approval already are making America home to the strongest 5G platform in the world.  I’m glad that with today’s decision, the litigation is settled, and we can continue our pursuit of next-gen opportunities for all Americans.”

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Office of Commissioner Brendan Carr: (202) 418-2200
Twitter: @BrendanCarrFCC
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/brendan-carr