NLC, NACo, USCM & NATOA file Joint Reply Comments in the FCC's Wireless NPRM, WT No. 25-276
January 15, 2026: The Local Government Associations of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), the National League of Cities (NLC), the National Association of Counties (NACo), and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) submitted Joint Comments in the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireless Deployments, WT Docket No. 25-276, which can be found at: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10114714513801/1
We'd like to give a big shout-out and expressions of gratitude to: Angelina Panettieri of the NLC, Seamus Dowdall of NACo, David Burns of USCM & Lani Williams of NATOA for their efforts in building this Reply Comment filing we well as the prior Comments in 25-276 and both filings in the Wireline NOI, 25-253. Thank you, thank you!
NATOA, NLC, USCM and NACo filed their Joint Reply opposing wireless industry commenters who have mischaracterized local permitting processes. The associations believe the wireless industry is seeking excessive federal preemption that would undermine local communities' ability to manage wireless infrastructure deployment safely and responsibly.
“These Reply Comments respond to the broad mischaracterization of local permitting offered anecdotally by a number of wireless industry associations and companies as solicited by the Commission regarding local permitting processes, timelines, and compensation,” said the associations.
“The Local Government Associations strenuously object to some of the industry’s depiction of local permitting as an obstacle to the provision of wireless telecommunications services. The parties suggesting this seek to strip local governments of their ability to responsibly manage deployment in their communities, while still expecting to deploy their infrastructure in a manner that is safe, well-planned, and conducive to technology-neutral competition.
“Efficient telecommunications infrastructure deployment is a critical national objective. However, achieving this goal requires balancing federal preemption authority with legitimate local interests in public safety, fiscal responsibility, and community character. The proposals advanced by industry commenters go too far in restricting municipal authority and fail to account for the real costs and complexities of infrastructure management.”
The Local Government Associations of NATOA, NLC, USCM and NACo urge the Commission to:
- Preserve local aesthetic and placement authority,
- Recognize local governments are entitled to compensation which reflects the full costs of wireless deployment, not an arbitrary national assessment of what costs “should” be,
- Reject the creation of a “rocket docket,”
- Reject premature preemption of state and local AI regulations, and
- Facilitate industry and local cooperation rather than heavy-handed federal mandates.
NLC, USCM, NATOA and NACo applaud the comments submitted by a number of local government coalitions and the National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) in their Reply.
The Local Government Associations’ previous filings in the FCC's Wireline NOI proceeding WC 25-253 are attached to this Wireless NPRM Reply, as well.
NLC, NACo, USCM & NATOA file Joint Reply Comments in the FCC's Wireless NPRM, WT No. 25-276
NLC, NACo, USCM & NATOA file Joint Reply Comments in the FCC's Wireless NPRM, WT No. 25-276
January 15, 2026: The Local Government Associations of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), the National League of Cities (NLC), the National Association of Counties (NACo), and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) submitted Joint Comments in the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireless Deployments, WT Docket No. 25-276, which can be found at: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10114714513801/1
We'd like to give a big shout-out and expressions of gratitude to: Angelina Panettieri of the NLC, Seamus Dowdall of NACo, David Burns of USCM & Lani Williams of NATOA for their efforts in building this Reply Comment filing we well as the prior Comments in 25-276 and both filings in the Wireline NOI, 25-253. Thank you, thank you!
NATOA, NLC, USCM and NACo filed their Joint Reply opposing wireless industry commenters who have mischaracterized local permitting processes. The associations believe the wireless industry is seeking excessive federal preemption that would undermine local communities' ability to manage wireless infrastructure deployment safely and responsibly.
“These Reply Comments respond to the broad mischaracterization of local permitting offered anecdotally by a number of wireless industry associations and companies as solicited by the Commission regarding local permitting processes, timelines, and compensation,” said the associations.
“The Local Government Associations strenuously object to some of the industry’s depiction of local permitting as an obstacle to the provision of wireless telecommunications services. The parties suggesting this seek to strip local governments of their ability to responsibly manage deployment in their communities, while still expecting to deploy their infrastructure in a manner that is safe, well-planned, and conducive to technology-neutral competition.
“Efficient telecommunications infrastructure deployment is a critical national objective. However, achieving this goal requires balancing federal preemption authority with legitimate local interests in public safety, fiscal responsibility, and community character. The proposals advanced by industry commenters go too far in restricting municipal authority and fail to account for the real costs and complexities of infrastructure management.”
The Local Government Associations of NATOA, NLC, USCM and NACo urge the Commission to:
NLC, USCM, NATOA and NACo applaud the comments submitted by a number of local government coalitions and the National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) in their Reply.
The Local Government Associations’ previous filings in the FCC's Wireline NOI proceeding WC 25-253 are attached to this Wireless NPRM Reply, as well.
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