Sprint, a telecom operator in the U.S., has agreed to pay $10 million fine to settle a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigation.
The FCC investigation is around the proper tower registration and environmental and historic impact reviews prior to building wireless infrastructure facilities. The FCC also settled with privately held Mobilitie, a telecommunications infrastructure company, for $1.6 million.
Sprint, a mobile voice and data service provider owned by SoftBank of Japan, contracted with Mobilitie to deploy wireless network equipment.
In 2017, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau began investigating whether the two companies met requirements before constructing wireless infrastructure facilities.
Under the rules then in effect, deployment of wireless infrastructure facilities such as cell towers and structures for small cell systems, required environmental and historic preservation reviews prior to construction.
The rules required some facilities to register with the FCC prior to construction. Both companies agreed to improve their environmental and historic preservation review compliance procedures.
“The law was clear and it is vital that carriers and infrastructure companies alike never duck their responsibilities,” said Christopher Killion, acting deputy chief of the Enforcement Bureau.
“Even as our rules are updated over time, companies must abide by the law as it stands whenever they are building infrastructure, operating wireless facilities, or taking other actions under FCC jurisdiction.”
