Small-cell transceivers, which can be placed atop traffic, light and utility poles, are considered essential by mobile carriers to extend coverage in cities, stadiums, malls and other places where traditional cell towers can’t go. They will also be critical in providing lightening-fast, high-capacity, but limited-distance 5G signals. Problem is, municipalities and local residents are either resisting their rollout for reasons of safety or appearance, or are charging exorbitant fees to allow their installation.
“Can you hear them now? That’s the sound of telecommunications providers scrambling to get the attention of – and in some cases, grappling with – city halls everywhere, including Minnesota’s capital city, for the opportunity to deploy “small cell” technology.”
