Title
5G Deployment in Colorado Springs
Presenter:
Joshua Pace, Senior Contracting Specialist, Office of Innovation and Sustainability
Morgan Hester, Principal Planner, Department of Planning and Development
Body
Summary:
The Office of Innovation and Sustainability shares information regarding 5G deployment in Colorado Springs, the related actions the City has taken, and next steps.
Background:
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of cellular networks. 5G will allow users to access the internet at speeds up to 20 Gbps (about 20 times faster than the 4G LTE network), and will have a latency period of 1 millisecond or less (about 15 times less than the 4G LTE network). Fast speed and low latency will allow for virtually immediate transfer of large amounts of data between devices. With essentially zero lag time between sending and receiving data, vehicles could communicate with each other instantly, and doctors could observe and instruct operations via real time video conferencing. Because of the capabilities of the 5G network, the City of Colorado Springs should work with Providers to ensure all our residents have the ability to access it.
Is 5G Safe?
According to the Federal Communications Commission, the American Cancer Society radiofrequency radiation is not harmful. The International Agency for Research on Cancer considers radiofrequency radiation to be “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Eating red meat, working night shift, and drinking hot beverages are also included in this category.
5G Regulations
Federal, State, and local regulations apply to small cell deployments. These regulations require Providers to comply with city permitting requirements, require cities to act on permit applications within a certain amount of time, limit the presumptively reasonable fee cities can charge for permits, and require cities to publish aesthetic standards for small cells. City Code requires small cells to fit in with surrounding infrastructure as much as technically feasible.
City’s Role and Next Steps
As part of the City’s SmartCOS Program, link: https://coloradosprings.gov/smartcos?mlid=34976, the Office of Innovation and Sustainability will work with internal stakeholders and Providers to streamline 5G deployment within the Public Right-of-Way. The City will publish a webpage to include information regarding permitting requirements, and public information about small cells in general. The City is developing aesthetic standards per the FCC order, and small cell master license agreements with Providers to provide a framework for the City’s small cell deployment requirements. The City is working on code changes to bring City Code up to date with small cells and fiber deployments.
Previous Council Action:
Recognition 18-004 Smart City Vision for the City of Colorado Springs, January 23, 2018
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
N/A
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A