Posted on by pmg

Senate Hearing On The Race to 5G

  • Focus: Exploring Spectrum Needs
  • Committee: Senate Commerce
  • Webcast: Wed, July 25, 2018 at 10:00 am ET — view webcast

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on July 25, 2018 at 10:00 am ET in 253 Russell Senate Office Building on “The Race to 5G: Exploring Spectrum Needs to Maintain U.S. Global Leadership.” The committee webcasts its hearings on its website — the hearing starts at 31:35 in the video.

Senator John Thune (R-SD):

"There is much more to do. We will address ways to reduce barriers to [4G/5G densification] deployment in the near future. Senator Schatz and I introduced the STREAMLINE Small Cell Deployment Act a few weeks ago that reflects many months of hard work of meetings with stakeholders from across the country and of negotiation. It is still a work in progress, as we try to bring the benefits of [4G/5G densification] to American consumers, reap the benefits of 5G leadership of America and respect the important role that state and local governments play in deployment decisions."

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL):

"I want to say something about infrastructure. It’s true that 5G networks are designed around denser wireless infrastructure, made up of many small cell facilities. The Chairman has a bill, [S.3157], on this siting process. We’ve all received passionate feedback on this [bill] and I want us to have a
robust conversation about the bill at a future hearing that must include participation by local government and all the interested stakeholders. "

Really, Sen. Thune . . . how does Senate Bill 3157, as written, actually “respect the important role that state and local governments play in deployment decisions?”

Watch the video carefully . . . Senator Thune’s nose grew when he read these words handed to him by ALEC/Verizon/AT&T.

At least it seems that Senator Nelson understands that local governments must retain their rights to regulate the placement, construction and modification of Wireless Telecommunications Facilities (WTFs) — particularly in the public rights-of-way.

Scheduled witnesses:

  1. Ms. Meredith Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer, CTIA – The Wireless Association
  2. Mr. Dean Brenner, Senior Vice President, Spectrum Strategy and Technology, Qualcomm
  3. Mr. Craig T. Cowden, Senior Vice President, Wireless Technology, Charter Communications Inc.
  4. Mr. Tom Stroup, President, Satellite Industry Association

And later in the day . . .

Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission

7/25/18 Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission 2018

Remarks by Representative Doyle (D-PA)
Remarks by Representative Pallone (D-NJ)

Scheduled witnesses:

  1. Ajit Pai, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission
  2. Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
  3. Brendan Carr, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
  4. Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED and PLEASE SHARE WIDELY

https://www.facebook.com/whatis5g/posts/1904618236274576

There are two hearings taking place on Wednesday, July 25th

  1. The Race To 5G in the Senate Commerce Committee Wed 7/25 at 10:00 am, EDT
    https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=BB7A0421-CD2B-41D7-ABF6-6241B29EF928

  2. The FCC Oversight Hearing in the House Communications and Technology SubCommittee, Wed. Wed 7/25 at 1:00 pm, EDT
    https://energycommerce.house.gov/hearings/oversight-of-the-federal-communications-commission/

Please immediately call or email members of both committees respectfully expressing your point of view about this unnecessary 4G/5G densification and this disastrous, unfettered Wireless expansion.

Contact Information:

  1. Link to members of the Senate Commerce Committee:
    https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/committeemembers

    • I have been assured by the main office of the Senate Commerce Committee that they will forward all emails they receive regarding the Wed. hearing on the Race To 5G, to all the members of the Commerce Committee.
    • So you can simply send your email to: paul_bertram@commerce.senate.gov
    • Subject heading of email should read: Re: Race to 5G; Please forward to all Committee Members before 9:00 am, July 25th
    • To call, you will need to go to each member’s website to get their phone number or consult this page.

  2. Link to members of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee
    https://energycommerce.house.gov/about/

    • I have been assured by the staff at the Energy Commerce Committee that they will forward all emails they receive to all members of the subcommittee on Communications and Technology…the ones conducting the “Oversight Hearing.”
    • So you can send your email to: energy.commerce@mail.house.gov
    • Subject heading of email should read: Re: FCC Oversight Hearing; Please forward to all Committee members before 1:00 pm on July 25th.
    • To call, you will need to go to each member’s website to get their phone number linked to from this page.

Suggested Talking Points:

About The “Race To 5G”

  1. In light of the overwhelming independent science showing adverse health effects from wireless radiation – in particular both the recent conclusions of the NTP study as well as the Ramazzini study, it seems highly inadvisable to launch a “race to 5g” before 5g and the IoT are proven safe.
    Instead we urge you to call for a moratorium on the installation of all small cell technology and the rollout of the fifth generation wireless network, 5G until proven safe.

  2. If there’s any “race” to be had, it should be a race for “safe, reliable, fast, energy efficient and cyber secure fiber to all homes and businesses”!!

  3. Nothing should move forward with 5G rollout or ANY wireless "small cell" legislation until the FCC has re-evaluated their OBSOLETE and INADEQUATE 22 year old wireless radiation exposure guidelines in light of the 2012 GAO report that clearly gave that advice. ("Exposure and Testing Requirements for Mobile Phones Should Be Reassessed" : GAO-12-771: Published: Jul 24, 2012. Publicly Released: Aug 7, 2012.)
    The NTP/Ramazzini studies both show evidence of cancer from microwave radiation exposure, and the 2014 Dept. of the Interior letter states that the FCC’s guidelines are inadequate to protect wildlife.
    We also strongly urge that public and health experts/advocates be allowed to present and speak at the hearing.

For the FCC Oversight Hearing

Encourage Committee Members to press the FCC for

  1. Their lack of an actual safety standard for RF/MW;

  2. The fact that the FCC is not a health agency should not be the agency tasked with overseeing health guidelines;

3.. The fact that there has been no reassessment of their current safety guideline as recommended by GAO 4 years ago
(https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-771)

  1. Why the FCC passed the Wireless Infrastructure Streamlining Order on March 22, 2018 (WT. Docket #17-79) eliminating Environmental, Health, Safety review despite findings of “clear evidence of cancer” from the NTP study.

  2. No premarket safety testing of 5G and the IoT has ever been required. However, studies have documented negative biological effects to both humans and wildlife resulting from exposure to the higher millimeter wave frequencies that 5G and IoT will utilize in conjunction with frequencies already in use. 5G systems would require millions of new closely-spaced, high-powered antennas, increasing ambient RF/MW radiation exposure. Serious health effects have been demonstrated from both the current frequencies in use as well as from the higher RF/MW frequencies to be introduced. Why are they rushing ahead and disregarding public safety.

Three Good Pieces On “The Science.”

  1. https://einarflydal.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/pall-to-eu-on-5g-harm-march-2018.pdf
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935118300161
  3. https://www.saferemr.com/2018/04/recent-research.html

Calling Hint:

When you call, *dial 67 before the number so they do not hassle you about what state you are from and if possible, call all the Senators and House Members. It is fine to consult Google Maps to select a town within their districts.