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I_CPCIS_2024A 07/09/2024 09:39:03 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  CELL PHONE CONNECTIVITY INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE
Date 07/09/2024
Attendance
Bacon X
Michael Blank X
Eddie Castaneda X
Bob Fifer X
Hinrichsen X
Kevin Klein X
Guillermo Lambarri X
Pelton R. X
Roberts *
Soper X
Eli Veenendaal X
Lukens X
Time 09:39:03 AM to 02:51:35 PM
Place Old State Library
This Meeting was called to order by Lukens
This Report was prepared by Samantha Falco
Hearing Items Action Taken
Call to Order and Introductions Committee Discussion Only
Committee Overview Committee Discussion Only
Telecom Industry Panel Committee Discussion Only
State Government Panel Committee Discussion Only
Presentation from NCSL Committee Discussion Only
Next Steps: Upcoming Meetings and Field Trips Committee Discussion Only

Call to Order and Introductions - Committee Discussion Only


09:40:03 AM  
Representative Lukens, chair of the committee, gave opening remarks to the committee. Representative Soper gave opening comments to the committee. Representative Bacon gave opening comments to the committee.



Committee Overview - Committee Discussion Only


09:51:21 AM  
Juliann Jenson, Legislative
Council Staff, gave an overview of the committee charge. The charge memo
for the committee can be found here:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committee_charge_memo_1.pdf

Sarah Lozano,
Office of Legislative Legal Services, gave an overview of the bill draft
process.



Telecom Industry Panel - Committee Discussion Only


10:00:04 AM  
The committee heard
from a panel of industry experts that are also serving as non-legislative
members of the committee. Michael Blank, Director of State Legislative
Affairs, Cellular Telephones Industries Association (CTIA), gave a presentation
to the committee. The presentation provided an overview of cellular connectivity,
fee structure, and wireless companies. The presentation can be found here:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/ctia_presentation_-_co_interim_committee_7-9-24_draft.pdf
10:13:00 AM  
Eli Veenendaal, Associate General Counsel, Verizon gave a presentation regarding Verizon's investment in Colorado connectivity, the focus on rural coverage, partnering with the state, challenges to deployment, permitting, and network security.
10:20:44 AM  
Edward Castaneda,
Director, Network Engineering and Operations, T-Mobile, gave a presentation
to the committee. The presentation included an overview of wireless networks
and the multiple bands of wavelength, Colorado coverage, future network
plans, and obstacles. The presentation can be found here:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/colorado_v2.pdf
10:32:25 AM  
Guillermo Lambarri,
Director of External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T, gave a presentation
to the committee. The presentation included an overview of AT&T's investment
in Colorado, strengthening and enhancing network connection, and challenges.
The presentation can be found here:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/at_t.pdf
10:46:39 AM  
Panelists responded
to questions from the committee on the following topics: goals for the
committee, what other states are doing, the the interoperability of WiFi
and cellular networks, industry opinion on the necessity of cell phones,
state versus federal regulations, granularity of coverage maps, internet
of cellular devices versus WiFi, building towers, and local government
interaction.
11:50:13 AM  
The committee recessed for lunch.



State Government Panel - Committee Discussion Only


01:08:06 PM  
The committee resumed
after lunch.


Bob Fifer, Deputy Director of Operations, Colorado Department of Transportation
gave the following presentation to the committee:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/2024-07-01_cell_connectivity_interim_committee_-_cdot_overview.pptx_.pdf



The presentation provided information on land leases for cellular towers,
tower pricing, permit fees, natural disaster implications, COtrip, COtransit,
and commercial vehicle impacts.
01:28:57 PM  
Daryl Bronson, Telecoms
Programs Section Chief, Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), gave
the following presentation to the committee:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/dept._of_regulatory_agencies_presentation.pdf




The presentation provided an overview of cellular/wireless phone service
regulations and the Federal Communications Commission. Additionally, Mr.
Bronson provided information on state and local 911 fees as it compares
to the rest of the country and using WiFi routers to make cellular calls.
01:40:19 PM  
Nathan Blake, Deputy Attorney General for Consumer Protection, Colorado Department of Law gave a presentation to the committee. The presentation included information on monitoring and reviewing practices from cellular carriers as well as consumer protections.
01:44:19 PM  
Kevin Klein, Director,
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Department of Public
Safety, gave the following presentation:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/cellular_connectivity_intrim_committee.pdf.



The presentation included information on the statewide digital trunked
radio system, coverage for individuals and responders, and public private
partnerships.
01:50:33 PM  
Panelists responded
to questions from the committee regarding rural coverage, expediting the
permitting process, the shot clock provision, fiber availability for cell
towers, leasing fiber, small cells and fiber, network security issues,
liability and budgetary impacts, adjusting fees, and the high cost support
mechanism and subsidies.



Presentation from NCSL - Committee Discussion Only


02:16:39 PM  
Heather Morton, Director
of Financial Services, Technology, and Communication with the National
Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) gave the following presentation:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/ncsl_cellphone_connectivity_update_july-2024.pdf




The presentation provided an overview of the work of NCSL, national coverage,
how cell phones connect to coverage, what impacts signals, mobile broadband
data, federal legislation, Vermont's drive test of mobile wireless coverage,
and additional resources.
02:36:51 PM  
Ms. Morton responded
to questions from the committee regarding Vermont's drive test,



Next Steps: Upcoming Meetings and Field Trips - Committee Discussion Only


02:43:01 PM  
The committee discussed future committee activity.


02:51:35 PM   The committee adjourned.






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