Monday, September 16, 2013

Wyoming Cell Tower Freeze Might Violate the 1996 Telecommunications Act


The residents of Teton County, Wyoming are unhappy with the current regulations on cell phone towers and feel that these structures interrupt the scenic views of the area. The county commissioners are looking into new regulations and are considering putting a temporary moratorium on cell tower applications.

However, this freeze will violate the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which states that local governments cannot ““prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the provision of personal wireless services.” The county commissioners aren’t opposed to new cell phone towers being constructed, they just want stricter regulations regarding placement.  

“We have a balancing act here in Teton County that’s kind of unique,” says County Commission chair Paul Vogelheim. “We need to take care of cellular and wireless data needs but then we also need to be able to provide the scenic wonders that are here without it being at all compromised.” (Source: Wyoming Public Media)

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