The City of El Paso must manage the use of different telecommunications towers, and devices that are established. Rules must be followed to ensure fair use and safety in Personal Wireless Service Facilities and Telecommunications Facilities on the Right-of-Way (ROW).

What is Senate Bill (SB) 1004 and when was it enacted?

SB 1004 establishes Chapter 284 Deployment of Network Nodes in Public Right-of-Way to Establish Guidelines, Procedures, and a Design Manual Governing Network Providers' Access to Public Right-of-Way of the Local Government Code and standardizes the municipal permitting process for the deployment of network nodes across Texas. It grants access to Public ROW to network providers subject to permitting requirements and payment to cities.

SB 1004 was enacted on September 1, 2017, and allows network providers to deploy facilities on Public ROW in line with Chapter 284 and Chapter 15.10. for the benefit of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City.

When a company wants to place network objects, SB 1004 sets a standard for:

• When a permit is required
• Installation and Construction
• Size Restrictions
• Location Restrictions where above-ground structures in a ROW are prohibited
• Permitting Process and Shot Clock
• Fees for Access to Public ROW
• Access to Municipally-Owned Poles