New Research on Alaska Regulation and Over-the-Air Reception Device Rules

A Snapshot of Alaska Regulation in 2019

James Broughel | State Snapshot

From the snapshot: "State RegData also reveals that the 2019 AAC [Alaska Administrative Code] contains 52,570 restrictions and 5.8 million words. It would take an individual about 320 hours—or 8 weeks—to read the entire AAC. That’s assuming the reader spends 40 hours per week reading and reads at a rate of 300 words per minute. By comparison, there are 1.09 million additional restrictions in the federal code. Individuals and businesses in Alaska must navigate these different layers of restrictions to remain in compliance.”

The FCC Should Modernize Over-the-Air Reception Device Rules

Brent Skorup | Public Interest Comment

From the comment: "Technology changes since the 1996 Telecommunications Act have made it so that many internet-only wireless services—including WISP service, outdoor Wi-Fi, mesh networks, and wireless backhaul—fall into a regulatory gap at a time when consumers are demanding more services. The FCC has authority to bring some regulatory certainty to those services so that operators and property owners can install small outdoor antennas. The OTARD rules have helped tens of millions of Americans self-provide and install satellite dishes and fixed wireless receivers on their property. As commenters have pointed out, protecting small outdoor antennas from unreasonable restrictions and fees would help WISP operators bring service to high-cost areas and would help 5G operators find suitable siting during impasses over right-of-way access. If the satellite deployment after the creation of the OTARD rules is any indication, taking the proposed actions would massively expand the number of siting options for small outdoor antennas and help extend broadband options to millions of customers.”