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FCC Ex Parte Comment for WT Docket 17-79

September 17, 2018

Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, District of Columbia 20554

RE: Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment, WC Docket No. 17-84; Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment, WT Docket No. 17-79

Dear Ms. Dortch,

As director of Maryland Smart Meter Awareness (MSMA) and as researcher and creator of https://www.whatis5g.info, I would like to add to the record MSMA’s strong opposition to the Order Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment, which represents a complete reversal of FCC’s mandate to regulate the wireless industry and replaces it with an Order that instead regulates the public and local municipalities.

As stated in my original comments, the vast majority of people still don’t know what 5G is; don’t know that wireless radiation emitting antennas will be placed in front of homes throughout the US; and remain uninformed about the adverse health impacts of wireless radiation. Without this knowledge, there can be no due process.

Wireless antennas in residential areas will impact the health, safety, and quality of life of us all so profoundly that to vote through this Order without adequate public understanding and input would be a clear violation of our rights. At the very least, the Commission should postpone this vote until November to allow sufficient time for the public to review and comment on the 100-page Docket.

The densification of our communities with wireless “small cells”, the Internet of Things, “Smart” Cities, and whatever other applications industry dreams up, would render public spaces inaccessible to people with Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS), and some may even be forced from their homes. Would anywhere be left safe for them? It would appear that forced densification of communities with radiation emitting towers would present a clear ADA violation.

This Order would also make public areas hazardous for children and other vulnerable populations. See what other countries are doing to inform and protect their citizens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCy3WfaXZkI.

The public needs technology neutral regulations that allow communities to decide for themselves what Broadband solutions best suits their needs. This Order at once eliminates local zoning rights and grossly favors the wireless industry over Title II regulated fiber — Not to mention the fact that wireless is harmful to human health and wildlife. Additionally, many people will get the brunt of this ill-advised policy and will have to continue to rely on inferior wireless high-speed broadband with the resultant digital divide that the unregulated private sector has created.

The FCC needs to prioritize the well-being and actual needs of the American people over industry profits and allow communities to make informed and effective broadband choices. If the FCC wants to preempt State rights, let it do so by preempting the state laws that currently prohibit the build-out of municipal fiber!

The FCC is Heading Toward a Colossal Collision

Turning a blind eye to public health, ADA rights, wildlife impacts, and the detrimental effects on society of hyper-connectivity, will not make these problems disappear. The problems will continue to fester and grow as more and more people experience the negative impacts of a society shaped by politicians catering to corporate greed rather than to the needs and well-being of the public.

Forget about the so-called “Race to 5G”. Launch instead a “Race to Fiber.” A race to see which country can build a safe, fast, energy efficient, secure fiber network that is a true national asset and serves the best interest of the public. Encourage wireless as an ancillary service for short calls and messages when out and about. Let’s build an infrastructure that supports a balanced life with online activity not ravaging us, but rather enhancing our lives.

Short of this, you leave the public with no recourse but demonstrations such as this one in Germany where children are protesting their parents’ excessive use of smart phones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk0o2tkN_qI

Or this one in the UK, where dozens of parents are pulling their children out of school until the cell tower next to the school is removed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5BEuVUugjs

Please vote against 17-79 and 17-84. Don’t force this unnecessary and harmful infrastructure in residential neighborhoods. Renew our trust in government and Regulatory Agencies.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Kate Kheel
Director of Maryland Smart Meter Awareness