The Jamestown (NY) Planning Commission is preparing for the arrival of 5G by drafting guidelines focused on aesthetics and spacing out infrastructure, reported the Post-Journal. “5G is coming. We are trying to get ahead of it with these guidelines, so we don’t get smothered with something we don’t want,” said Jeff Lehman, city public works director.
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is also tuned into the impending arrival of small cells. Kristofor Sellstrom, BPU energy and gas resources manager, said company officials are concerned about how the antennas will be mounted to their poles. He estimates that thousands of 5G antennas could be installed throughout the city.
“Our goal is to enable the technology to give better service to the community, and to do it in a way that doesn’t cause problems,” Sellstrom said. “We are concerned about how they will be mounted to buildings and traffic signals in the city. We want to make sure they’re not damaging existing infrastructure.”
According to Sellstrom, one carrier is already interested in installing antennas and has been for at least six months. He noted the importance of the guidelines, saying, “If they [carriers] are willing to come in and make an investment, that is great, but we need to have the rules in place to make that happen.” The Post-Journal reported the commission is scheduled to vote on the 5G guidelines during its next meeting on September 15.
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