The FCC's proposal to preempt local permitting rules for wired broadband has drawn sharp opposition from cities and counties across the US. The agency argues that local governments excessively delay approvals and demand high fees, making some deployments infeasible. Its plan would impose a 120-day deadline for processing permits and cap the compensation local governments can require from providers.
Local government groups counter that permitting is an essential public safety function and cannot be reduced to an arbitrary federal deadline. They also say internet providers are often the real cause of delays, hoarding permits to crowd out competitors. In comments to the FCC, they urged the agency to adopt rules requiring ISPs to deploy networks within 180 days of receiving local authorization.
Both sides say they want faster broadband deployment, but they disagree sharply on who is to blame and what the fix should be. The legal basis for the FCC's plan is also contested: the agency cites Title II of the Communications Act, even though Chairman Brendan Carr has long opposed Title II regulation of broadband. Minnesota cities note that a similar preemption attempt during the first Trump administration was blocked in court, and further litigation is likely if the FCC finalizes the plan.