FCC Rules Could Hamper Move to 5G, O'Rielly Says

Fifth-generation wireless “is right around the corner” and “brings the promise of a high-speed, high-capacity, seamless wireless Internet experience,” but only as long as regulators stay out of the way, FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly told the Americans for Prosperity’s Defending the American Dream Summit Saturday in Richmond, Virginia. “It is estimated that such innovations will result in economic benefits to the tune of $500 billion in gross domestic product growth and more than 3 million jobs in the U.S. alone,” O’Rielly said. “The FCC’s job is to provide an environment for such innovation and investment to flourish in the communications technology sector while protecting consumers along the way.” The FCC has wandered off course, O’Rielly warned in remarks, posted by the FCC Monday. “Rather than permitting ‘disruptive’ technologies to continue to develop, the Commission favored regulatory ‘know-it-all-ism,’” he said. The result “has been the creation of market uncertainty, leading to a rethinking of network investment.” Some changes before the FCC may seem small, but really add up, he said. For example, he said, the FCC is considering changes to its wireless and wireline infrastructure siting rules. “These are the types of rule changes that will accelerate access to 5G networks that enable life-saving innovations, such as remote surgery and vehicle collision avoidance systems,” he said. “Not to mention, they will allow self-driving cars and other breakthroughs we can’t imagine today.”