WASHINGTON-Reps. Thomas Davis (R-Va.) and James Moran (D-Va.) last week introduced legislation to foster nondiscriminatory telecommunications access to federal government buildings, bolstering competitive prospects for fixed wireless carriers.
The bill mirrors one introduced in June by Sens. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (D-Miss.).
“It is a great start. It introduces Congress to the problem. The federal government should lead by example, but more needs to be done because we need to open all buildings,” said Brent Weingardt, vice president of government relations at the Personal Communications Industry Association.
PCIA has lobbied aggressively for the legislation on behalf of fixed wireless members.
The legislation could be opposed by the real estate community, which has opposed mandatory building rooftop access.
The “Competitive Access to Federal Buildings Act” would forbid federal agencies from entering into rental or lease contracts unless the owner or operator permits nondiscriminatory access. The owner either would have to commit to providing such access to competitive carriers as a matter of contract or certify they are already bound to provide access under state law.
In addition, property owners can charge a reasonable fee for access based on the commercial rental value of space used by the carriers and can impose reasonable requirements to protect the property and tenants. Telecom carriers also would bear the cost of installation, maintenance and reimbursement for any damage caused to government buildings.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration would oversee the bill’s implementation.
“By instituting this policy, the federal government is leading by example with a step toward better, faster services at less cost,” said John Windhausen, president of the Association for Local Telecommunications Services.
Windhausen added: “The legislation will spur competition that saves U.S. taxpayers money and gives federal employees access to more communications service choices. I encourage Congress to consider extending this guarantee beyond federal buildings to spur competition and savings in multi-tenant buildings across this country.”
Texas and Connecticut are among the states that have instituted similar measures.
