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Committee considers adding wireless infrastructure to five-year property tax abatement for broadband
Summary
Senate Taxation Committee heard proponents for extending the statutorily authorized abatement for fiber to wireless broadband equipment, arguing parity would encourage investment in underserved areas; telecom companies and the Montana Chamber supported the change, while the Department of Revenue provided fiscal detail.
Sen. Greg Hertz told the committee the bill would add wireless broadband infrastructure to an existing property-tax abatement that now applies to fiber optic and coaxial cable investments, and require that tax savings be reinvested in Montana broadband infrastructure within two years.
Industry witnesses said the change brings parity between wireline and wireless investments and can spur deployment in rural and underserved areas. Margaret Morgan of T‑Mobile said wireless needs wireline backhaul and vice versa; she urged the committee to approve…
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