Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation to ease the wireless industry’s shift to next-generation technology in Michigan.
The laws enacted Wednesday establish statewide regulations and fee limits for the installation of a dense network of “small cells” on telephone poles, traffic signals and other infrastructure.
The measures are backed by carriers such as Verizon and AT&T that want faster internet speeds and more network capacity, but opposed by local governments as an infringement on their ability to recover costs for the use of public rights of way.
Michigan is the 21st state to enact laws that streamline regulations to facilitate the deployment of fifth-generation, or 5G , small cells, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
