The following communication was authored by Steve Forbes, who is a member of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) Board of Directors. NTU supports legislation to remove tax and regulatory barriers to the deployment of 5G technology. Doing so could spur many innovative approaches to delivering government services that would save tax dollars including traffic system management, energy efficiency in public buildings, streamlined first responder systems, and telemedicine for health programs. NTU encourages you to read Mr. Forbes' letter and support House File 739.
February 24, 2017
Dear Representative:
Fifth generation, 5G wireless communications networks will power American competitiveness in the 21st Century. You have a bill before you now, House File 739¸which will help Minnesota communities cut red tape and establish commonsense, pro-growth permitting procedures for small cell broadband antennas, the infrastructure necessary to deploy 5G. I am writing to you today to urge your strong support for this important legislation.
Here is a link to my recent editorial detailing why I am convinced deploying 5G is so crucial 5G wireless will offer connections up to 100 times faster than current 4G speeds, enabling breathtaking productivity gains and new technologies. It will form the basis for smart cities that can offer citizens better services at less cost, smart agriculture to make farms more productive and efficient, and a host of other business, healthcare, transportation, employment, entertainment, and lifestyle advancements that we can only dream of today.
This next generation of wireless technology is expected to create 3 million new jobs and increase annual GDP by $500 billion. States that prepare themselves to participate in this future will prosper, those that do not will be left behind. Prepare Minnesota for prosperity by voting in favor of House File 739 and encouraging your legislative colleagues to do the same.
Sincerely,
Steve Forbes