NCTA: Business Data Proposal Could Impair 5G

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association said that while Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler has been stumping for 5G, the Business Data Service proceeding could slow 5G, not speed it as the chairman has suggested. "5G networks will rely on substantially more cell sites than prior generations of wireless service and, as a result, there will be a need for significant new fiber facilities to provide backhaul connecting these cell sites. The BDS Further Notice seeks comment on a number of proposals that could result in extensive new rate regulation of BDS services, including backhaul, resulting in less, not more, deployment of fiber," NCTA said.

NCTA is, not surprisingly, not happy with the prospect of the FCC not deciding to potentially regulate the rates of competitive providers as though they were a threat to competition, rather than a spur. It called that puzzling, echoing the dissent by FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai to the March vote on the proposal. He likened it to Alice in Wonderland.