By Karmen Rajamani, Vice President, Government Affairs, WIA
Wireless infrastructure is the backbone of our digital era. It enables our daily digital interactions now and will fuel future innovation. Ensuring connectivity everywhere is critical to America’s economic success and keeping our nation at the forefront of advancement on the global stage. Recently, Congress passed a budget bill with a robust spectrum pipeline, which will support investment in the nation’s wireless networks, new jobs, competition and choice for consumers, and new AI-enabled technologies.
A predictable, proportionate and transparent permitting framework is the key to enabling our nation’s wireless future. While Congress considers how to do so, through legislation like the American Broadband Deployment Act, states are seizing the reins and enacting reforms to make sure their future is a connected one. Several states took steps this session to codify major permitting reforms enacted by the FCC, ensuring consistent permitting rules are in place that propel deployment while respecting the local community. Some highlights from this year include:
West Virginia
WIA proudly supported West Virginia HB 3144, which became law on April 30, 2025. This law promotes uniformity of laws bringing state law into compliance with FCC macro tower site rules, orders and interpretations including shot clocks, compound expansions, and cost-based fees. This is model legislation for states and I was honored to have the chance to meet dedicated state legislators and to testify in support of this bill.
Colorado
Again, I had the privilege of testifying alongside industry colleagues in support of Colorado HB 1056, which brings similar FCC shot clock permitting timelines to tower application processing. The bill became law on April 4.
Idaho
In Idaho, House Bill 180 became law on April 14 adding FCC shot clock timelines for wireless facilities and granting the state’s public utility commission dispute resolution powers between utilities and broadband service providers.
Permitting Checklist
For states and local municipalities interested in learning what more can be done to support predictable, proportionate and transparent policies, WIA offers its practical Permitting Checklist. This straightforward checklist provides guidance for issuing permits while following federal rules and gaining community input enabling:
- Permitting rules consistent with federal law
- Objective application review criteria
- Clear, workable design standards
- Including community comment in developing the municipal permitting framework
- Fair and proportional fee schedule
WIA values and respects local permitting processes and the reforms WIA proposes are all built upon that foundation. This checklist helps ensure all stakeholders understand the permitting process – there is transparency for municipalities, industry and communities alike and clear means to participate in the process. In my conversations with state and municipal government leaders nationwide this legislative session I heard the same thing: states and communities understand the critical nature of wireless service and wireless infrastructure. They want to bring innovation and a high quality of life to their communities balanced with the needs and natures of those communities. WIA and its members want the same thing. The Permitting Checklist provides straightforward suggestions to foster sustainable connectivity to communities.
Ultimately, the timely buildout of wireless infrastructure will support the vitality, safety and prosperity of our communities by expanding connectivity to residents and bringing infrastructure jobs to states, while also growing America’s leadership in wireless technologies. WIA looks forward to continuing to work with the Trump Administration, Congress, states and local municipalities to address much needed permitting reforms.
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