Wireless Broadband Competition and Efficient Deployment Act

This bill would make it faster to add or upgrade cell equipment on existing structures. It says some wireless projects would no longer need federal environmental or historic site reviews, as long as they fall under the Federal Communications Commission’s rules or require an FCC permit. The projects covered include either mounting or installing equipment on an existing personal wireless facility, or modifying an existing one. The bill also makes clear these projects would not trigger reviews under the main federal environmental and historic preservation laws, removing those steps from the process .

• Who is affected: Wireless providers; state, local, and tribal governments that receive permit requests; and the FCC.
• What changes: These covered projects would be exempt from federal environmental and historic preservation reviews, speeding up approvals .
• What qualifies: Mounting or installing on an existing facility, or modifying one; the equipment includes antennas and related gear like wiring, power sources, and cabinets used to provide personal wireless service.