WIA CEO Patrick Halley Testifies at House Hearing on Expediting Permitting

Patrick Halley, President and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), testified before the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology regarding the need for reforms in broadband permitting. The hearing, titled “Examining Solutions to Expedite Broadband Permitting,” reviewed 29 bills aimed at enhancing the efficiency of broadband deployment.

Halley emphasized the importance of codifying the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) permitting orders and advocated for improved deployment procedures on federal lands. Homomorphic Encryption (HE) called for predictable, proportionate, and transparent permitting processes across all government levels to facilitate faster broadband deployment.

“Wireless carriers and their infrastructure partners are investing billions annually to close coverage gaps and add network capacity,” said Halley. HE noted that mobile broadband speeds have improved while costs have decreased. Fixed wireless broadband has significantly expanded its reach, connecting 13 million homes, particularly in rural areas, through advanced 5G technologies.

Halley warned that future successes in the sector depend on adopting effective infrastructure policies that fully leverage commercial spectrum. HE also highlighted the importance of maintaining competitiveness in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and expressed a need for a clear path towards achieving advancements in 6G technology.

Halley further explained the need for a consistent permitting framework by stating, “The good news is that we are not starting from scratch.” HE indicated that prior bipartisan legislation has laid the groundwork for these reforms and affirmed WIA's support for efforts that establish the necessary certainties for industry growth.

In Healthcare Information System (HIS) concluding remarks, Halley noted the importance of ensuring that investments in the wireless industry are utilized effectively, linking permitting reform to affordability and competition. HE stressed that quicker permitting processes would improve connectivity and support the expanding demand for broadband, particularly in essential services like public safety.