SB649: California lawmakers must reject telecoms cell phone power grab [View all]
San Francisco has hundreds of them: slim cylinders and flat boxes strapped to utility poles that serve as mini-cell towers to speed up wireless service. The devices are essential for anyone carrying a smartphone or tablet, but the subject is breeding a battle over money and political control.
Telecom firms such as Verizon and AT&T are pushing Sacramento to pass a law that would essentially remove the control cities and counties now have over where the equipment goes and how much localities can charge. In San Francisco’s case, the loss could total in the millions, according to Supervisor Mark Farrell, an opponent of the measure, SB649.
His argument, backed by scores of other local jurisdictions, is as about as basic as home rule gets. Cities, not Sacramento, should have the final say on what private industry can build in the public right of way.
The telecoms are selling the measure as a way to streamline approvals and improve coverage, an appealing idea to anyone who’s had a call dropped or Facebook session cut off. But these companies also want to curb the fees that local communities can charge to only a few hundred dollars per device.
Read more: http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/California-lawmakers-must-reject-telecoms-cell-11251445.php
Cities stand to lose millions in revenue under this bill. It's already passed the senate but must also pass the assembly. Call your reps to oppose this corporate give-away
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