To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Jacques R. LaRochelle, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Eric Whan, Deputy Public Works Director
TITLE:
Title
Administrative Process for Regulating Installations of Small Cell Antennae
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Receive report on administrative process for reviewing and regulating small cell antennae installations.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Cellular technology has evolved over the years and the level of demand has risen sharply in response to available technology. Personal cellular devices and other connected devices are no longer a luxury item but rather an ingrained part of our daily lives and culture. Cell phones are even replacing traditional hard-wired land lines within homes and in public. This wireless technology is mobile and therefore allows individuals the freedom to access all forms of communication and information at any time and place. The increased use of cellular technology as a phone or to access social media, texting or other data-driven interactions is putting a strain on existing wireless networks. To meet the continued demand for greater and faster data exchange, the industry is responding by installing equipment that will meet the continued demand as well as support the next generation of cellular technology.
Over the years, traditional cellular infrastructure involved the installation of large antennae sites or macro cell sites in various locations to provided service coverage to customers. These systems are typically high power, and their range covers a broad geographical area. Because of the increased demand and evolving phone technology, small cells are being proposed for installation to improve service coverage and increase network capacity. These facilities are lower power and have a limited range when compared to macro sites. The ones proposed by Verizon Wireless will have a range of about 1000 feet. The intent is to install these antennae in multiple locations...
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