5G and Small Cell Wireless Facilities

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5G is the next generation of telecommunications technology, which will meet the need for increasingly fast internet and cellular data transmission in today's society. 5G networks will be much quicker than the 4G networks in use now and will be able to handle more connected devices. This will help support new smart devices, facilitate better virtual meeting connections, and allow fresh innovations.

Wireless service providers are looking to expand their capabilities in 5G networking by building small cell wireless facilities in the communities they cover. 5G signals, while higher in frequency than 4G signals, do not travel as far. So instead of traditional or "macro" cell towers that are usually 200 feet or more in height, wireless service providers are turning to smaller facilities – bundles of antennas, transmitters, and other small cells equipment. Small cells are typically 30 feet tall or less; however, they must be installed in closer proximity to provide coverage for the areas they serve due to their lower height.

Small Cell Governance

Wireless service providers are beginning to install the small cell infrastructure and equipment necessary to move toward 5G. These upgrades will lead to construction activity beginning soon on street lights and stand-alone poles in Mount Prospect. In some cases, Village street lights are of adequate height and separation to accommodate 5G antennas without the need for installing additional poles across the Village. Using existing Village street lights helps to minimize the aesthetic impact of the upgraded 5G service. In other cases, 5G antennas will be installed on stand-alone poles.

A state law adopted in 2018 governs the installation of small cell wireless facilities. This law gives wireless service providers broad permissions to install small cells within the public right-of-way. The law was designed to ensure "providers of wireless access have a fair and predictable process for the deployment" of this new technology. The law was not intended to give municipalities control over the location and number of small cells within their jurisdictions. In fact, it restricts zoning review, caps permit and rental fees, and limits the time a municipality can take to evaluate applications. An order from the Federal Communications Commission in 2018 similarly limits municipal control over small cell facilities to stream the rollout of 5G services nationwide.

VIEW THE ILLINOIS SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES DEPLOYMENT ACT

VIEW THE FCC 5G DEPLOYMENT ORDER

The Village's Role

According to state law, much of the regulatory authority over small cell wireless facilities is outside of Village control. Here is what the Village CAN and CANNOT do to oversee this new technology.

The Village CAN require wireless service providers to:

Get a permit to install a small cell wireless facility on a Village street light.
Provide structural integrity specifications for each proposed site.
Provide photos and exact locations of street lights where small cell wireless facilities would be installed.
Limit the height of a small wireless facility to 10 feet above the street light pole, utility pole.
Comply with safety standards for construction in the right-of-way and standards for wiring, cabling, grounding, street light or utility pole extensions, and signage.
Install new street lights or stand-alone poles at the provider's cost if existing poles are not strong enough to support small cell wireless equipment.
Ensure small cell wireless facilities do not interfere with public safety communications or other utilities; the Village may terminate permits if interference occurs.

The Village CANNOT:

Enact a ban on small cell wireless facilities.
Require zoning review for small cell wireless facilities locations if they are on any property zoned for commercial or industrial use or if they are in the right-of-way – even in residential areas.
Deny an application to prevent a small cell wireless facility at a specific site unless it fails to comply with standards for location, size, surface area, height, or construction safety or causes interference with public safety communications.
Deny a proposed location for a small cell wireless facility without providing an alternate location within 100 feet.
Grant exclusive rights to any single wireless service provider to install small cell wireless facilities in Village right-of-way.
Regulate the level of radiofrequency emissions. This is the responsibility of the Federal Communications Commission.

Plan Review and Inspections

The Village of Mount Prospect has designed a plan-review process, which ensures installation of every small cell is conducted to promote safety, responsibility, cleanliness, restoration of property, and the least impactful construction process possible. When an application is submitted, it is reviewed by members of the Public Works Department. These reviewers ensure that each proposed facility meets standards for electrical safety, structural integrity, and aesthetics and that it complies with state and federal law. Once an application is approved, the wireless service provider is given a permit to begin work.

Once a permit is issued for a specific location, utility crews mark the placement of their lines as a safeguard to ensure digging for a new small cell site will not disrupt water, electric, or other services. Several inspections occur during and after construction to ensure that the foundation is structurally sound, electrical connections meet code, and the parkway is restored without divots or damaged grass.

The entire process benefits Village residents and constituents by providing small cell installations that are safe and compliant from conception to completion.

Installation Process

Installation of a new small cell wireless facility typically takes place in separate phases during the course of several weeks. Here is a look at the process:

Fiber: Before installation can begin, the underground fiber-optic cable must already be in place. Cellular providers have been working to install this fiber infrastructure throughout the Village for the past few years.
Foundation: In most cases, digging out and pouring a foundation for a new street light or stand-alone pole is the first construction step residents, and property owners will see after a small cell wireless facility has received a permit.
Electrification: Once a foundation is set, ComEd will connect service to the site to power the equipment within the small cell.
Pole Replacement: Wireless service providers will erect a new street light or stand-alone pole at each small cell location. These new poles are stronger and structurally sufficient to hold the required communications equipment.
Restoration: Wireless service providers, as a condition of their permit, are required to restore the area around the new street light or stand-alone pole to meet the standards of a Village inspection.

Photos

SCA NW Hwy street light

Wireless Service Providers

Verizon: Click here to access Verizon's webpage about 5G and small cell projects in the region, including details on how the company aims to deploy this technology and how small cells complement the existing wireless network. The page also includes photos of how small cells may look in the community and a Contact Us section, where residents can submit questions, comments, or complaints to Verizon via email. To email Verizon about one of the company's small cell sites, click here.

VIEW VERIZON'S SMALL CELL AND 5G WEBPAGE

Health and Safety

Location Map

This interactive map shows streetlight and utility poles within the Village of Mount Prospect. Color-coding identifies poles where wireless service providers have applied for small cell permits, as well as poles fore which a permit has been issued and poles where small cell construction is complete. Use this map to check whether there are any small cell wireless facilities planned or underway near you.

FAQs

What is a small cell wireless facility? What does it do?

A small cell wireless facility is a piece of broadband infrastructure containing cellular antenna components. This equipment uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves to provide 5G wireless communication coverage to a small area. This equipment is typically smaller and more compact than a traditional or "macro" cell tower, and it is often installed on street lights or stand alone poles.

Why does this equipment need to be installed on streetlights or stand-alone poles?

The cellular antenna components within a small cell wireless facility serve as a base station for high-frequency electromagnetic waves, facilitating 5G communication. These higher-frequency waves do not travel as far as lower-frequency waves used in 4G and other previous communication technologies. So providers need to install small cell facilities at closer intervals. Street lights and stand-alone poles provide a safe place for this equipment to be installed.

How do wireless service providers get Village permission to install a small cell wireless facility?

Each application for a small cell wireless facility is reviewed by the Village. These reviews ensure that each proposed facility meets standards for electrical safety, structural integrity, and aesthetics and that it complies with state law. Once all reviewing departments approve an application, the wireless service provider is given a permit to begin work.

How long will installation take for each new small cell wireless facility?

This will vary based on provider and location, but it will likely occur in separate phases for several weeks. Before installation can begin, underground fiber optic cable must already be in place. Cellular providers have been working to install this fiber infrastructure throughout the Village for the past few years. Installation of each new small cell facility may begin with pouring a foundation to support a new street light or stand-alone pole, connecting electric service, installing the new pole – which contains the small cell equipment – removing the old pole, and restoring the site.

How many of these are there going to be in Mount Prospect? Where will they be located?

Residents should expect to see these going up all over town. 5G technology will require this new network infrastructure to work, so cellular providers will be looking to install this equipment wherever they anticipate demand. In short, the more small cell wireless facilities a provider installs, the better 5G coverage it can offer in our area. Providers want to install this equipment in residential neighborhoods, downtown Mount Prospect, and heavily trafficked roads. As long as a small cell wireless facility application meets standards for safety, adheres to state law, and does not interfere with public safety communications or utilities, the Village must approve it.

How do I learn about the status of small cell wireless facilities in my area?

Visit the Village's interactive map (coming soon), which shows street lights and stand-alone poles in the Village. This map identifies where small cell wireless facilities are in the plan-review stage, where they have received construction permits, and where they are completed.

Who do I call with questions about small cell wireless facilities?

For a specific small cell wireless facility, visit the Village's interactive map (coming soon), to find contact information for the wireless service provider associated with the equipment.

For Verizon projects, click here to view an FAQs page and use the Contact Us form to send an email.

For overall questions about small cell wireless facilities in the Village of Mount Prospect, email publicworksdept@mountprospect.org.