April 8, 2022
Dear Pennsylvania Wireless Association Members:
As most of you are aware, PWA has a Regulatory/Legislation Committee. Through this committee, we have a unique opportunity to participate in the development of public policy which affects the wireless industry, especially in Pennsylvania. As valued members of the PWA, we are now asking for your help to identify issues you believe are important to the wireless industry, as outlined below.
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a bipartisan bicameral legislative agency has asked PWA to testify at an upcoming hearing on rural broadband and rural connectivity. The hearing will take place on Friday May 20 in Wellsboro, PA. I plan to take advantage of this great opportunity to speak as President of PWA, but I need your input, thoughts and feedback. Kyle Kopko, the Director of the Center for Rural PA is also a board member of the newly created PA Broadband Development Authority (PBDA). The PBDAA will oversee development of the Pennsylvania broadband policy plan according to Act of Dec. 22, 2021, P.L. 459, No. 96, which will then be submitted to the federal government. The PBDA will also oversee the distribution of hundreds of millions of federal government subsidy dollars to the Commonwealth for rural broadband development.
Our voices need to be heard by the policymakers and this Authority! At the hearing, I have only 10 minutes or so to present, so this will be a very high-level overview of the key issues affecting our industry. Here is my proposed outline.
- High Level Wireless 101, wireless broadband, different flavors of 5G, ecosystem of wireless representing the full spectrum of PWA members – more than just carriers
- Incenting Wireless Broadband Deployment – Funding, Favorable Tax/Business Climate, Favorable Regulatory Climate
- Challenges to Site Acquisition in Rural Areas – state as a landlord, Costs of Backhaul, permitting issues
- Workforce Development
Please provide comments on this approach and add any other issues or data you think would be helpful in this process to presidentpwa@outlook.com by April 30, 2022. I can also be reached for discussion at the above contact number.
We value our Member’s input and opinions, so this is your chance to give feedback to the Commonwealth.
My best,
Barb Burba
President PWA
724-422-7678