Getting access to the space to install radios and other gear is a long-standing concern for cellular network operators. So, in a push to make their locales more attractive for 5G investment, some agencies and lawmakers are doing their best to make rights-of-way acquisition as pain free as possible. That’s particularly important with 5G deployments, which are expected to include a greater number of small cells.
For example, recent reports indicate that politicians in Arlington, Va., have made it easier for companies to attach small cell facilities on privately owned structures in the public right of way. That’s because it’s now much faster and easier for carriers to get the approvals to do these kinds of things.
In fact, the county has approved several permits for small wireless facilities on private structures in the past year. That includes approvals for Verizon.
Also, in June the city council in Fredericksburg, Va., approved Cox (News - Alert) Wireless Access LLC’s request for a 10-year, non-exclusive franchise to install 5G transceiver boxes on city rights of way. ExteNet and Mobilities LLC previously got permission for 5G installations.
Cities, towns, counties, states, and countries are keen to get 5G as soon as possible, as this new cellular technology is expected to bring higher speeds, lower latencies, the ability to support existing and exciting new applications, and financial and other quality of life benefits to the areas that are served by such networks.
“Quite simply, 5G wireless networks will be a game changer: 100 times faster, five times more responsive and able to connect 100 times more devices,” Tom Sawanobori, senior vice president and CTO of CTIA (News - Alert), recently wrote. “These kind of network capabilities will enable our wireless future—from powering remote surgery applications and autonomous vehicle communications to transforming manufacturing facilities and educational resources.”
Edited by Maurice Nagle