WASHINGTON — A Virginia House bill that may improve wireless access and service throughout the state while stripping localities of their land-use authorities passed the Senate on March 1.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the bills backed by Verizon and other telecommunication companies would allow wireless towers shorter than 50 feet to be installed without requiring companies to get local approval through certain means.
“Our infrastructure of wireless technology is not where it should be,” said Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, in support of Senate Bill 1258.
McDougle said other states around the country have put in place a statewide approach for wireless technology.
“The amount of data that is now required by our citizens has increased six times over five years. And that is only increasing at a faster and faster rate,” said McDougle. “The technology availability is moving faster. Their citizens are benefiting.”
Critics of the bill say jurisdictions will have no say in where the shorter cell towers will be placed and add that there’s nothing in the bill that would expand wireless access to rural areas in Virginia.
Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, who represents rural areas in Virginia voted against the bill.
“Everyone in local government in those rural localities wants to improve Wi-Fi, they want to improve cell, they want to improve broadband. But I don’t see anything in this bill that will do anything for those people in rural areas.”
In a report by The Richmond Times Dispatch, a Verizon spokeswoman agreed that there is no requirement to expand wireless access to rural areas in Virginia. The governor’s office has not said whether or not the governor would sign the bill if it makes it to his desk.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
