WASHINGTON-The official battle over fixed wireless’ access to multi-tenant buildings got started last week as the Federal Communications Commission and industry began to wade through mountains of comments from the fixed wireless industry-which supports the FCC’s proposed rules-and the real estate industry, which does not.
The FCC tentatively concluded in June the Communications Act requires that fixed wireless carriers have access to all buildings. The notice of proposed rule making sought comment on whether building owners who give access to any telecommunications provider must give access to all providers.
Many representatives of the real estate community filed nearly identical comments on Aug. 13-the original deadline-voicing strong opposition to the FCC’s proposed rules. More of these comments were still coming into the FCC after the deadline of Aug. 27.
The form comments were buttressed by a several-hundred page document filed by the Real Access Alliance. The Real Access Alliance is a coalition of 11 real estate trade associations.
The Personal Communications Industry Association, which represents the fixed wireless industry, responded with a large filing of its own.
While the FCC examines the comments in this proceeding, it has asked Congress to arbitrate the issue through legislation. The proposal is on the FCC’s wish list, submitted on Aug. 12 as part of the FCC reform effort.
