Today, the Minnesota Association of Community Telecommunications Administrators (MACTA), representing 105 cities and 9 townships, has urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reject rule changes based on what it calls “phantom claims” from industry groups.
“Basing rules on phantom claims has no place in effective administrative rulemaking. The practice must end.”
MACTA ex parte letter dated August 13, 2025
In a letter filed August 13, 2025, MACTA backed similar filings by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) on July 10, 2025, and the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission (MHCRC) on July 31, 2025. Those groups warned that trade associations often submit vague, undocumented accusations that local governments delay broadband deployment—without naming jurisdictions, providing evidence, or allowing cities the chance to respond.
“Relying on such unfounded claims results in poor public policy. Commission rules must be based on reality, not fallacy.”
MACTA ex parte letter dated August 13, 2025
MACTA argued this practice produces poor public policy and undermines fair rulemaking. They pointed to past examples where such claims—never substantiated—were used to push for FCC rules preempting local authority.
MACTA joined NATOA and the MHCRC in urging the Commission to require filers to include the names of all jurisdictions cited to support the requested relief and to provide notice to all named jurisdictions so that they may provide a response to the Commission.
Bradley Werner, LLC
Michael Bradley and Nancy Werner are nationally recognized and respected communications attorneys. Our firm is dedicated to representing local governments on broadband, cable, telecommunications, utilities, and right-of-way management issues. With decades of experience representing municipalities on communications matters, we understand local needs and interests and are leaders in working with and advocating on behalf of local governments on a wide range of communications matters.