HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-30 Elizabeth Songvilay Testimony Bill 194
From:SONGVILAY, ELIZABETH
To:WPCtestimony
Subject:Nov 1 Windward Planning Commission - Agenda #8
Date:Wednesday, October 30, 2024 8:07:38 AM
Attachments:Nov 1 Windward Planning Commission_Wireless Industry testimony_Bill 194.pdf
Aloha,
Please see the attached written joint testimony for Agenda #8 (PL-CCI-2024-000009) (Bill 194)
from the wireless industry for the Nov. 1 Windward Planning Commission meeting.
Mahalo,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Songvilay
Director, External Affairs – Hawai‘i, Alaska
AT&T External & Legislative Affairs
October 30, 2024
Windward Planning Commission
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Re:November 1, 2024 Agenda Item #8 (PL-CCI-2024-000009)
Dear Chair Lin and Windward Planning Commissioners,
As
1
by the Planning Departmentand in comments submitted by the wireless industry included in the
To provide services that wireless customers can continue to rely upon each day, reasonable
zoning requirements and permit review timelines are essential.
ability to provide wireless services unnecessarily at riskby creating a regulatory framework that
is over-reaching, nearly impossible to comply with, and out of compliance with applicable
federal regulations.
The construction of new telecommunication facilities is typically initiated in response to
increased wireless data traffic and user demand. In 2023, Americans used more than 100 trillion
2
megabytes of data, the largest single-year increase ever and double that of two years ago. This
increase in demand comes from a proliferation of wireless devices (e.g., security/weather
cameras, smartwatches, and GPS systems), as well as enhanced technological capabilities that
require more network data to provide important daily services (e.g., livestreaming,
videoconferencing, and telehealth services).
critical for public safety. In addition to providing wireless services for first responders, our
facilities provide access to 9-1-1 services that deliver emergency help more quickly and
1
BR-CC Initiated-Telecommunication Towers and Antennas.doc 9/16/24.
2
CTIA, 2024 Annual Survey Highlights,Sept. 10, 2024,https://www.ctia.org/news/2024-annual-survey-
highlights.
3
effectively, regardless of the service provider. To highlight the importance of wireless access to
9-1-1 service, in 2022, over 80 percent of 9-1-
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came from a wireless phone.
We appreciate the desire within the County to update the county code as it relates to wireless
facilities and look forward to working with the Planning Department, County Council, and other
deployment of wireless
services.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony.
Sincerely,
CTIA
WIA
AT&T
Crown
T-Mobile
Verizon
3
A wireless facility would be critical for 9-1-
-
interconnected VOIP service
4
911 Statistics & Data | 911.gov.