The development of wireless telecommunications and local governments' policy responses: The U.S. case

The increasing popularity of wireless telephony creates a new set of challenges for local governments as the need for corresponding wireless facilities occurs in direct proportion to this growth. In particular, the influx of new wireless telecommunications providers poses significant challenges for local governments as they carry out their traditional zoning and land use functions.Considering local governments' concerns over the challenges posed by the proliferation of wireless towers, this paper attempts to give a policy insight on the issue of “wireless facilities siting”. This research suggests that the role of local governments should be to balance conflicting interests and that appropriate and timely presentation of wireless telecommunication initiatives by local governments are essential to opening a new era of wireless telecommunication.