States are poring over FirstNet plans for the national public safety network, said state officials we surveyed after FirstNet and AT&T released such plans Monday (see 1706190072). States have 45 days to review the radio-access-network (RAN) plans and provide feedback to AT&T and FirstNet, which then can provide a revised plan that governors have 90 days to review. It’s early and state officials kept mum on first impressions, but a National Governors Association official hadn’t heard of any big surprises. On a NATOA webinar Wednesday, AT&T and FirstNet officials reported positive first impressions and predicted some would opt in early.

A coalition of 14 commercial drone associations and other groups is urging Congress to hold off on any legislation giving state and local governments regulatory power over drones before the Federal Aviation Administration's Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) issues a report and recommendations on the matter. An Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) news release Friday alluded to recent legislation (S-1272) introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; and Mike Lee, R-Utah, that would protect state, local and tribal governments' authority over the use of recreational and commercial drones. Most commercial drone operators want the FAA to regulate drone usage in the national airspace (see 1610130040 and 1609160003). "Legislating changes before consensus is reached may have dramatic unintended consequences that could stifle innovation, restrict economic growth and interstate commerce, and potentially compromise safety," said the coalition in a Thursday letter signed by AUVSI, the Commercial Drone Alliance, CTA, Drone Manufacturers Alliance, the Small UAV Coalition and others. DAC needs to evaluate the role of state and local governments in regulating drone operations (see 1705220035) and an agreed-upon framework is "essential for the future regulatory system," the letter said. It added the advisory committee is expected to issue a report this year on the subject.

A coalition of 14 commercial drone associations and other groups is urging Congress to hold off on any legislation giving state and local governments regulatory power over drones before the Federal Aviation Administration's Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) issues a report and recommendations on the matter. An Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) news release Friday alluded to recent legislation (S-1272) introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; and Mike Lee, R-Utah, that would protect state, local and tribal governments' authority over the use of recreational and commercial drones. Most commercial drone operators want the FAA to regulate drone usage in the national airspace (see 1610130040 and 1609160003). "Legislating changes before consensus is reached may have dramatic unintended consequences that could stifle innovation, restrict economic growth and interstate commerce, and potentially compromise safety," said the coalition in a Thursday letter signed by AUVSI, the Commercial Drone Alliance, CTA, Drone Manufacturers Alliance, the Small UAV Coalition and others. DAC needs to evaluate the role of state and local governments in regulating drone operations (see 1705220035) and an agreed-upon framework is "essential for the future regulatory system," the letter said. It added the advisory committee is expected to issue a report this year on the subject.

A coalition of 14 commercial drone associations and other groups is urging Congress to hold off on any legislation giving state and local governments regulatory power over drones before the Federal Aviation Administration's Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) issues a report and recommendations on the matter. An Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) news release Friday alluded to recent legislation (S-1272) introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; and Mike Lee, R-Utah, that would protect state, local and tribal governments' authority over the use of recreational and commercial drones. Most commercial drone operators want the FAA to regulate drone usage in the national airspace (see 1610130040 and 1609160003). "Legislating changes before consensus is reached may have dramatic unintended consequences that could stifle innovation, restrict economic growth and interstate commerce, and potentially compromise safety," said the coalition in a Thursday letter signed by AUVSI, the Commercial Drone Alliance, CTA, Drone Manufacturers Alliance, the Small UAV Coalition and others. DAC needs to evaluate the role of state and local governments in regulating drone operations (see 1705220035) and an agreed-upon framework is "essential for the future regulatory system," the letter said. It added the advisory committee is expected to issue a report this year on the subject.

CTA, CTIA, the Wireless Infrastructure Association and other industry commenters told the FCC it needs to adopt rules to speed wireless siting if it wants to ensure the rapid deployment of 5G and the IoT. Comments were due on the FCC’s NPRM and notice of inquiry on wireless siting Thursday. Groups representing local and state government urged caution, noting the role they have in protecting the interests of local citizens. Comments largely mirrored those filed earlier this year on a Mobilitie petition asking the agency to pre-empt state and local authority over rights of way (ROWs) (see 1703080011).

CTA, CTIA, the Wireless Infrastructure Association and other industry commenters told the FCC it needs to adopt rules to speed wireless siting if it wants to ensure the rapid deployment of 5G and the IoT. Comments were due on the FCC’s NPRM and notice of inquiry on wireless siting Thursday. Groups representing local and state government urged caution, noting the role they have in protecting the interests of local citizens. Comments largely mirrored those filed earlier this year on a Mobilitie petition asking the agency to pre-empt state and local authority over rights of way (ROWs) (see 1703080011).

CTA, CTIA, the Wireless Infrastructure Association and other industry commenters told the FCC it needs to adopt rules to speed wireless siting if it wants to ensure the rapid deployment of 5G and the IoT. Comments were due on the FCC’s NPRM and notice of inquiry on wireless siting Thursday. Groups representing local and state government urged caution, noting the role they have in protecting the interests of local citizens. Comments largely mirrored those filed earlier this year on a Mobilitie petition asking the agency to pre-empt state and local authority over rights of way (ROWs) (see 1703080011).

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told the National Congress of American Indians Wednesday he's fully committed to working with the tribal governments on siting and other issues. Pai said he has had a number of meetings with tribal officials since becoming chairman in January. Tribal approvals are seen as a potential stumbling block, especially for wireless infrastructure approvals (see 1706020053). “I honor and embrace that trust relationship and my responsibilities as the Chairman of the FCC,” Pai said in written remarks. “Those responsibilities include a commitment for the Bureaus and Offices across our agency to work collaboratively with our Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP). This will allow ONAP to seek input through all available means -- including consultation with Tribal leaders on a government-to-government basis.” Pai noted he just completed a weeklong trip with meetings from Milwaukee to Casper, Wyoming. The focus was on the digital divide and helping communities catch up, he said: “Rural Americans, including many in Indian Country, disproportionately find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide.” Pai said one of the most "meaningful" meetings was with tribal representatives in South Dakota. Much is at stake, he said. "We don’t bemoan the digital divide in Indian Country because some people can’t play online games like Candy Crush," Pai said. "We focus on these issues because Internet connectivity has become vital to full participation in modern life."

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told the National Congress of American Indians Wednesday he's fully committed to working with the tribal governments on siting and other issues. Pai said he has had a number of meetings with tribal officials since becoming chairman in January. Tribal approvals are seen as a potential stumbling block, especially for wireless infrastructure approvals (see 1706020053). “I honor and embrace that trust relationship and my responsibilities as the Chairman of the FCC,” Pai said in written remarks. “Those responsibilities include a commitment for the Bureaus and Offices across our agency to work collaboratively with our Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP). This will allow ONAP to seek input through all available means -- including consultation with Tribal leaders on a government-to-government basis.” Pai noted he just completed a weeklong trip with meetings from Milwaukee to Casper, Wyoming. The focus was on the digital divide and helping communities catch up, he said: “Rural Americans, including many in Indian Country, disproportionately find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide.” Pai said one of the most "meaningful" meetings was with tribal representatives in South Dakota. Much is at stake, he said. "We don’t bemoan the digital divide in Indian Country because some people can’t play online games like Candy Crush," Pai said. "We focus on these issues because Internet connectivity has become vital to full participation in modern life."

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai continued along with his rural broadband road trip Friday, spending it in South Dakota, according to his Twitter feed Thursday and Friday. Thursday, Pai met with tribal leaders from South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma and Wisconsin at South Dakota’s Rosebud Indian Reservation, he tweeted. "Received thoughtful input from Tribal members on everything from Treaty of Laramie in 1868 to FCC's Tower Construction Notification System,” said Pai. Friday, Pai visited broadband providers Golden West Telecom and Midco and landmark Mount Rushmore, he said on Twitter. "Inspiring to see etched visages of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln,” he said. Pai is expected to end his Great Plains Twitter travelogue in Wyoming (see 1706020053).