Bipartisan legislation allowing cell-phone and broadband service providers better access to municipal markets won approval in the House Tuesday. House Bill 1193, sponsored in the lower chamber by Reps. Jon Becker, R-Fort Morgan, and Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada, should translates to faster and better upgrades to cell-telephone service.

From a press statement by the House GOP:

The bill streamlines broadband and cell providers’ ability to access a local municipality’s light poles, light standards, traffic signals, or utility poles to install small cell signal transmitters, or “micro cell technology.” Micro cell technology is associated with improving 4G and carrying 5G service in Colorado.

The bill also clarifies that the right-of-way access available to telecommunications providers extends to broadband providers and includes small cell facilities.

Becker, quoted in the House GOP statement, said the bill helps make way for next-generation technology:

“Micro cell technology is replacing traditional cell towers, and this bill is a building block for better partnerships between the state and providers to improve cell service throughout the state…I am encouraged by the steps this bill takes to reduce regulations for broadband providers, and look forward to working with rural communities to do something similar to get reliable, high-speed internet and cell service to all of Colorado.”