WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2026 – A new study by NERA Economic Consulting and submitted to the Federal Communications Commission found that permitting requirements for federal environmental and historic preservation pose unnecessary costs and delays for wireless infrastructure development. It’s the latest of wireless industry trade group CTIA’s pleas for a FCC rule change that would streamline the infrastructure permitting process by loosening compliance with two federal policies: the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The FCC in August adopted a rulemaking aimed at narrowing the scope of environmental reviews for certain wireless infrastructure projects. The proposal parallels recent FCC efforts to streamline permitting requirements on a federal, state and local level to speed up wireless development timelines. Some state and local governments have opposed proposals to fast-track wireless towers and infrastructure, citing concerns on the restriction of local power and leaving unchecked broadband construction.