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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-03 Elizabeth Songvilay (AT&T) Testimony From:SONGVILAY CLEMENTS, ELIZABETH To:WPCtestimony Cc:TOMLINSON, ANDREW Subject:Elizabeth Songvilay 9/5/24 Windward Planning Commission - AT&T written testimony Date:Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:43:14 AM Attachments:ATT Testimony_Windward Planning Commission Sept 5 2024 meeting_Agenda Item 8_Planning Dept Initiatied.pdf Aloha, Please see the attached written testimony for agenda item #8 for the Sept 5, 2024 Windward Planning Commission meeting. Mahalo, Elizabeth Elizabeth Songvilay Director, External Affairs – Hawai‘i, Alaska AT&T External & Legislative Affairs m 808.376.9032 | elizabeth.songvilay@att.com Check out our latest upates in Hawai‘i and Alaska! September 3, 2024 Windward Planning Commission 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 720 Re: Agenda Item 8 (PL-PDI-2024-000008) September 5, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting Aloha Chair Lin and Windward Planning Commissioners: proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 25, Article 2, Article 5, Article 5, and Article 7 of the ication antennas and towers. Comments on Proposed Code Changes concerned that if the proposed changes were adopted as written, we will be hampered in our customers. The proposed changes do not take into consideration the challenges of deploying wireless requirements reduce the number of potential sites that applicants may consider and materially customers and fill significant gaps in coverage. A consequence of these proposed restrictions is likely to be that a new wireless site is not built at all because none of the alternative locations allowed by the code could achieve the desired result. In addition, some of the language is unnecessary delays. Aside from legal concerns, the likely effect of the proposed changes appears contrary to the 1 access to broadband and telecommunications services and deployment of related infrastructure. However, the standards proposed here create unnecessary barriers to the deployment of wireless infrastructure, thereby inhibiting the provision of communication services on the island. 1 See 2024, https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/308136/638597487229830000. © 2024 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. role in building FirstNet, the nationwide public safety network, as part of a public-private 2 partnership with the federal government. As the Commission knows, wireless customers rely on their devices as they work, learn, live, and play. A wireless device is also a lifeline, whether to call 9-1-1 or connect with a loved one, and all wireless facilities provide communication services that protect health, safety and welfare. To keep up with demand and maintain reliability, AT&T works daily to upgrade existing Island, we are seeing a need for new wireless facilities to expand coverage in rural areas and to enhance coverage where needed in populated areas. For more than five years, AT&T has been working diligently with state and local public safety Certain areas are identified as critical for network improvements so that first responders can carry out their missions. In some cases, such areas are also identified as critical for 9-1-1 3 access. In 2022, over 80 percent of 9-1-1 calls (over 1 million 9-1- 4 came from a wireless phone. Conclusion Again, AT&T hopes to continue to work with the Department of Planning and all stakeholders to help achieve the goals of the proposed code changes without compromising the quality and Mahalo for your consideration and the opportunity to submit written testimony. Sincerely, Elizabeth Songvilay Director, External & Legislative Affairs 2 For more information on the history on the First Responder Network or FirstNet, you may visit: https://firstnet.gov/about/history. 3 A wireless facility would be critical for 9-1-1 access if it is the only available facility in the area. See https://www.fcc.gov/911-reliability 4 911 Statistics & Data | 911.gov.