Use of public highways - discrimination prohibited - content regulation prohibited

(1) (a) Any domestic or foreign telecommunications provider or broadband provider authorized to do business under the laws of this state has the right to construct, maintain, and operate conduit, cable, switches, and related appurtenances and facilities, and communications and broadband facilities, including small cell facilities and small cell networks, along, across, upon, above, and under any public highway in this state, subject to this article 5.5 and article 1.5 of title 9. (b) The construction, maintenance, operation, and regulation of the facilities described in subsection (1)(a) of this section, including the right to occupy and utilize the public rights-of-way, by telecommunications providers and broadband providers are matters of statewide concern. The facilities shall be constructed and maintained so as not to obstruct or hinder the usual travel on a highway. (2) A political subdivision shall not discriminate among or grant a preference to competing telecommunications providers or broadband providers in the issuance of permits or the passage of any ordinance for the use of its rights-of-way, nor create or erect any unreasonable requirements for entry to the rights-of-way for the providers. (3) A political subdivision shall not regulate a telecommunications provider or a broadband provider based upon the content or type of signals that are carried or capable of being carried over the provider's facilities; except that nothing in this subsection (3) prevents regulation by a political subdivision when the authority to regulate has been granted to the political subdivision under federal law.