# The GRANTED Act of 2025: What It Means for Faster Internet and Cell Tower Expansion

This bill speeds up the process for companies to install communications equipment on federal land. Right now, when a telecom company wants to build a cell tower, run fiber optic cables, or install other communications infrastructure on federal property, they have to apply for permission from the government agency that manages that land. The problem is these applications can sit in limbo for months or even years without a clear yes or no answer. This bill creates an automatic approval system: if a federal agency doesn't formally approve or deny an application within a specific deadline, the application is automatically considered approved.

Here's how it works in practice. When a company submits a complete application, the federal agency has 60 days to either grant it, deny it, or tell the company what additional information is needed. If the agency doesn't respond within 30 days saying the application is incomplete, the application is automatically considered complete. Then, if the agency misses the 60-day deadline to make a final decision, the application is automatically approved. This means companies can move forward with their projects without waiting indefinitely for bureaucratic decisions. The bill applies to all applications submitted after it becomes law.

The practical impact is that broadband expansion, 5G network buildout, and other communications infrastructure projects could move faster, particularly in rural areas where federal land is common. However, this also means federal agencies have less time to thoroughly review applications or raise environmental or safety concerns. Environmental groups and some government agencies might worry that important considerations could be overlooked in the rush to meet deadlines, while telecom companies and those wanting faster internet access would likely see this as removing unnecessary delays that have slowed rural connectivity improvements.