Under the federal Telecommunications Act, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) completely occupies the field with respect to radiofrequency (“RF”) emissions regulation. The FCC established comprehensive rules for human exposure to RF emissions (the “FCC Guidelines”). Although the FCC requires all new and modified facilities to demonstrate compliance with the FCC Guidelines prior to construction, the FCC does not require compliance testing at regular intervals thereafter. The FCC requires all applications to include a written statement that the proposed emissions will be compliant, may require that the applicant provide a theoretical model and technical data to support the certification and, in some cases, may require the applicant to perform on-site field tests.
State and local governments cannot regulate wireless facilities based on environmental effects from RF emissions to the extent that the emissions comply with the FCC Guidelines. State and local governments may require applicants to demonstrate compliance with the FCC Guidelines, but they cannot establish compliance requirements that differ from the FCC Guidelines. Accordingly, the City’s RF compliance review process is modeled after the FCC’s review process—all applicants are required to submit an RF compliance report with technical data to prove that the emissions will be in compliance, and the City retains the option to require on-site testing if the technical data suggests that additional analysis is warranted.
Q: What is 5G?
A:Term commonly used for the next, aka 5th, generation of wireless cellular technology. It has the potential to provide peak download and upload speeds comparable to fiber connectivity, together with low latency responsiveness, while connecting a multitude of devices simultaneously. In addition to keeping up with mobile video consumption, 5G is intended to support new technologies such as autonomous vehicles, cloud computing, AI-enabled applications, connected infrastructure, telemedicine, smart devices, public safety communications, and other use cases that will require near low latency connectivity in addition to the ever-increasing proliferation and use of mobile devices. 5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology currently deployed throughout the United States. Compared to earlier generations, it provides greater network capacity, faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved support for large numbers of connected devices. While many applications use existing low- and mid-band spectrum, some deployments use higher-frequency spectrum to provide increased capacity in areas with high demand.
Q: Who regulates 5G and other wireless communications?
A: Federal, state and local agencies each regulate different and sometimes overlapping aspects of 5G and wireless communications. The Federal Communications Commission(FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The FCC is the primary authority for communications law and regulation and preempts state and local governments from regulating key aspects of infrastructure deployment. For instance, state and local governments cannot regulate the environmental effects of radiofrequency exposure to the extent the emissions comply with FCC guidelines. At the state level, California grants authorized telephone corporations to access the public rights-of-way to provide services and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates pole attachments and safety standards to aboveground and underground infrastructure. Subject to federal and state limitations, local governments regulate the design, placement, operation and maintenance of wireless infrastructure within their respective jurisdictions.
Q: What defines a small cell (frequency, operating power, or emitted power)?
A: Per the FCC, small cells are defined according to height and volume. A small cell (or “small wireless facility” as that term is used by the FCC) means an attachment to a structure 50 feet in height or less, 10% taller than the height of an existing structure, or 10% taller than adjacent structures, whichever is greater; 28 cubic feet of accessory equipment; and any number of antennas as long as each one is 3 cubic feet or less. Small cells are not specifically limited by frequency – 4G small cells may operate across multiple licensed spectrum bands depending on the carrier’s network design.
Q: Who is demanding 5G?
A: Consumers, both human and machine users, are using more data and an increasing amount of smartphones, connected vehicles, smart infrastructure, industrial automation, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and other connected technologies. This, combined with ever increasing video consumption, requires greater spectral efficiency and capacity to reduce congestion on the macro networks. Small cells are one key element to meet demand by reducing the number of users that access the network from a particular point at the same time.
Q: How does 5G differ from existing wireless technologies?
A: A common misconception is that small cells did not exist before 5G. Although 4G small cells have not been deployed in all jurisdictions across the country, they have been deployed in various dense environments and high-demand areas for at least the last five years. For 5G deployments, equipment will be added to existing macro facilities in addition to being deployed as small cells. Small cells consume less power and provide less range than macro cells, and can be deployed on existing right-of-way structures (such as streetlights) due to their ubiquity and availability of power and/or data connections.
Q: Can these devices be installed within the public rights-of-way in residential areas, commercial areas, and near schools?
A: Yes. Federal law generally prohibits state and local governments from effectively prohibiting the provision of wireless services. California law also authorizes qualifying telecommunications providers to place facilities within the public right-of-way, subject to the City’s reasonable time, place, and manner regulations and the requirement that such facilities not interfere with the public’s use of the right-of-way. The City has adopted design, concealment, and location standards through its Small Wireless Facilities Policy to preserve community character while complying with applicable federal and state law. Although installations may occur in residential, commercial, and school areas, each application is reviewed for compliance with the City’s adopted standards.
Q: Why are these devices being allowed in residential areas and on streetlights and communication towers?
A: In September 2018, the FCC issued a “Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order” titled “Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment”, which introduced new rules that limit the ability of cities, such as Santa Clarita, to control where small cells may be installed and operated. 5G is expected to provide the speeds consumers require for the applications and technologies they use every day, which make it an alternative and complementary means of delivering high-speed communications services alongside traditional wired technologies such as fiber-optic and cable broadband.
Q: What are the effects of radiofrequency emissions on health, safety, and the environment?
A: FCC limits the cities authority to regulate wireless infrastructure on the basis of health or effects on the environment. The City will require 3rd party verification of small cells in the public rights-of-way to ensure that they meet the standards required by the FCC. Applicants are required to submit radiofrequency (RF) compliance documentation prepared by qualified professionals demonstrating that proposed facilities comply with applicable FCC exposure limits. The City may require additional technical information when warranted. Under federal law, the City may not regulate wireless facilities based on the environmental effects of RF emissions when the facilities comply with the FCC’s adopted standards.
Q: Will the city provide any objective data regarding changes to Radio Frequency (RF) in locations throughout city?
A: All new facilities and modifications to existing facilities will require the applicant to submit an up-to-date RF compliance report certified by a qualified engineer or professional. If the facilities meet the FCC RF requirements, the city cannot consider them as a basis for denial when processing the application.
Q: Does any of this mean large-format, or traditional cellular towers can be installed anywhere?
A:No. The recent FCC regulations generally apply to small cells. The City’s existing municipal code, Chapter 17.69, https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaClarita/ still governs these traditional towers. una
Q: Does the City have a policy regarding Small Wireless Facilities aka 5G cell sites?
A: Yes. The Santa Clarita City Council voted unanimously to adopt a policy for the approval and deployment of small cellular facilities within the City public right-of-way. Click here to review the policy.
Q: How do I request access to a City-owned streetlight pole?
A: Applicants should contact the City to identify the proposed pole location(s). If the location is eligible, the City will provide a Pole License Agreement and information regarding the required permit application. Execution of a Pole License Agreement does not replace any required permits or approvals under the City’s Small Wireless Facilities Policy.
Q: What has the City done about the new FCC rules? Can it change the law?
A:The City Council and City staff have taken numerous steps to legally challenge and express the community’s concerns as it relates to the City’s ability to regulate where 5G technology can be installed and what they may look like.
Here is a timeline of the actions taken by the City Council regarding small cells and the FCC’s 5G regulations:
Questions regarding potential RF hazards from FCC-regulated transmitters can be directed to the Federal Communications Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554; phone: 1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL-FCC); e-mail: rfsafety@fcc.gov. If you have concerns in the future that the facility is not in compliance with the FCC Guidelines, you should report your concerns to the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, 445 12th Street, SW, 3rd floor, Washington, DC 20554; phone: (202) 418-7450.
For additional information regarding RF emissions safety and compliance, please see the following resources from various federal, state and independent sources. Please note that these links are provided for informational purposes only and the views expressed in them should be attributed to the original source.