The foundation for 5G may soon be laid in Williamsburg by AT&T and Cox Communications, reported the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily.
Cox Wireless Access, LLC requested a franchise agreement with the city to install wireless support structures — up to 50 feet tall — and small cell facilities. Additionally, AT&T Mobility requested a lease to attach wireless antennas and other small cell structures on city property and buildings, including roofs, poles and traffic lights, reported the Daily. No structures will be permitted in the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area.
“Small cells help advance communities digitally — resulting in more investments, as well as connectivity with macro sites, and paving the way for next-generation technology,” said AT&T mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Dawn Couch in an email. “Small cells enhance existing voice and data capacity for our customers today by carrying LTE traffic and are being designed to ultimately support future 5G service where it is deployed.”
If the agreement is approved, AT&T will pay the city $200 per small cell installation each year, with the option for the city to extend the agreement after 10 years, for a total of a 20-year duration. Cox is set to pay $1,000 annually, per wireless support structure and $200 each year per city facility that Cox will jointly use over an eight-year period.
The requests will be reviewed by City Council this week. Even if the applications are approved, “the details for each site must also subsequently be approved by Planning, Public Works, and/or the city manager, depending on the facility in question,” according to City Attorney Christina Shelton. The applicants will also need to obtain Right-of-Way and building permits, as necessary by city code, Shelton added.
Neither company provided a timeline for installation of the infrastructure or deployment of 5G service, reported the Daily.
June 15, 2018
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