FCC leader says Indianapolis leads way in 5G investment, poised to become national model

The Federal Communications Commission will vote on federal rules to accelerate the roll out of 5G later this month, and the commission is pointing to Indiana as a leader

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr cheered Indiana laws Tuesday at a Statehouse news conference that he said has helped enable the quick rollout of 5G in Indianapolis. He announced his plans for federal involvement to the accelerate 5G access across the U.S. 

"..Not one, but two of the country's largest wireless providers have announced Indianapolis as a showcase city for 5G, with deployments happening here by year's end," Carr said. "That makes Indianapolis — not New York, not San Francisco — that makes Indianapolis #1 in the country for most intensive 5G investment."

In mid-August Verizon announced the Indianapolis would be one of the first cities to get its 5G service, and last week AT&T said the city would be among the first seven to get 5G.

More:Holcomb wants to raise Indiana Toll Road rates to fund $1 billion infrastructure plan

More:Verizon's super-fast 5G home internet service is coming to Indianapolis, the company says

The growth is enabled in part by legislation lawmakers passed in 2017. Senate Enrolled Act 213 adapted regulations regarding small cell towers, which is what 5G networks require. Prior to the act, Indiana's laws focused on large cell towers, which lawmakers argue deserved entirely different laws than the more inconspicuous small cell towers.

The bill wasn't without controversy: at the time, local officials worried the new law would impede local control, and lead to an overabundance of small cell towers. 

Since the law was passed, wireless providers have built over 1,000 small cells in Indiana, Carr said.

"When it comes to wireless, Indiana is the future, and that's because of this state's innovative leadership," Carr said.

Carr's FEC proposal would mimic the small cells bills enacted so far in 20 states, including Indiana. He suggests federal regulations that would: 

• Prevent local entities from prohibiting deployment of the small cells.
• Allow municipalities to charge reasonable fees for reviewing small cell additions.
• Put a time limit on how quickly local government has to approve or deny small cell applications
• Limit the reasons municipalities can cite in denying applications, while maintaining cities' rights to do "reasonable" aesthetic reviews. 

The FEC will vote on the proposal on Sept. 25.

The implementation of 5G would lead to a GDP growth nationwide of $500 billion, plus the creation of 3 million more jobs, according to an Accenture report. It also would enable better vehicle-to-vehicle communication, provide more broadband access to Americans who don't currently have access and reduce energy costs and usage.

“In Indiana we believe the next generation of wireless services will position our communities to compete in an increasingly global economy," said State Sen. Jim Merritt, who was a coauthor on SEA 213. "It will help make our cities smarter, deliver better healthcare options and make our communities better connected.”

Also on Tuesday, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb presented his 2019 infrastructure plan, which included designating $100 million to bring broadband to underserved areas of the state. 

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at 317-432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.