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| Everyone wants light-speed data and consistent coverage on their iPhones; some do not want to see the hardware that enables this ANYWHERE near where they live, though. |
This has been a discussion going back several years.
We all want the fastest, most reliable and dependable cell phone service and coverage we can get.
--But some people do not like the way the requisite poles and 5G boxes look--you know, the hardware behind the scenes that makes our iPhones work allowing us to download data quickly.
--Still others worry about potential, perceived ill-effects of these box-devices from a health perspective.
So lots of people THAT ARE ADDICTED to technology and their iPhones DO NOT want these transmitter boxes that enable lightning-fast cellular and data service to be installed ANYWHERE near their houses or communities. They'd prefer not to see them, period.
Which creates quite a conundrum for those of us who are local-level policymakers.
Because this request appears to be an impossible one.
What I know is that at the local level we are very, very limited in what we can do to stop these devices from being installed. We "may" have a limited ability to require modest aesthetic enhancements to the devices before they are deployed. Beyond that though--State and Federal statutes and associated regulation preclude local governments from balking at where or even if these devices are deployed.
An email from a D4 constituent yesterday purports that some communities have successfully stopped deployment of 5G cell towers in these locations (Miami, Tampa). She didn't send any news links to support this claim nor did she provide proof of this statement. She simply requests we attempt to stop 5G with respect to the current deployment of these towers at Pensacola Beach--like what she claims these other communities have done. She even linked a resolution from Coconut Creek that she would like the BCC in Escambia to replicate to slow down the rollout of 5G at the beach.
I have replied to this constituent stating to her that I would request we discuss her request and the relevant cases she has cited at an upcoming meeting of the BCC. I'd be interested to know more specifically--as I've seen no mainstream news reports of what she claims "happened" in Miami and Tampa.
Should be an interesting discussion--but I do not believe we will have the legal authority to stop the deployment----as again---this local control authority has been stripped away from us by State and Federal statutes so far as we have been advised by our attorney.
But we will see what happens.
2 comments:
Perhaps consider the issue from another viewpoint actually presented to you - can the BCC take action to exercise more local authority, prevent the irresponsible placement of small cells next to homes and mitigate negative aesthetic impacts? I presented a proposed resolution in October 2019 to support a federal bill (HR 530) aiming to restore local authority to cities and counties. Other Florida cities passed similar resolutions in support, and the bill had the support of cities, counties and public utilities across the nation. It has the support of the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities and the United States Conference of Mayors. I offered to meet with you to discuss it at the time, and although not your constituent, I am still willing to do so.
Why the race to 5G? Did you know 5G is not living up to the hype in China? The Voice of America reports Chinese officials are now discussing the existing infrastructure is not performing as expected (China's is 1/3 the cost of ours ... Huawei) and the energy cots are quite expensive. The heavily subsidized telecom companies are now seeking more subsidies and government underwriting to cover costs. Without the subsidies, they warn, 5G could prove a colossal failure. Also, nearly 75% of the consumers see no need for the public to buy 5G mobile phones. https://international.thenewslens.com/article/141712
Verizon and AT&T are now scrambling for more spectrum to apply 5G, but we are now finding out these new frequencies are interfering with aircraft radar altimeters. It's a big deal according to the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics an a coalition of aviation-industry groups and airline pilots unions dedicated to safety. It raises safety concerns with helicopters which operate at low altitudes where radar altimeters are critical. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-07/plane-crash-risk-seen-rising-on-fcc-plan-to-expand-5g-spectrum
If you do a little reading on the web, some countries are not letting 5 G in because of other "spying" concerns. Hacking.
On another issue. Look on the Federal reserve page and also be aware the bailout bill. It looks similar to the TARP.
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