Broadband permitting was front and center this week as initial comments were due in the FCC’s docket exploring ways to streamline and improve the processes of garnering approval to deploy from localities. As summarized in a Light Reading article, the telecom industry perspectives included shot clocks on permit reviews, (USTelecom suggested 60 days or 90 days for complex projects), limiting permit review fees to actual incurred costs, requiring advance disclosure of fees, and treating in-kind demands such as installing conduit for municipal use as compensation subject to the same reasonableness standard. From the local government parties came comments focused on the danger to public safety of expediting permit review and the harms to existing partnerships between munis and service providers. Stay tuned.