Hartford clears the way for 5G technology
After litigation, health concerns, council OKs pact with AT&T, Verizon
After several years of litigation and negotiations, Hartford is set to become one of the first Connecticut cities with 5G technology.
An agreement passed by the city council Monday authorizes AT&T and Verizon to deploy approximately 7 wireless 5G facilities on city-owned telephone poles.
The city, like many other municipalities across the country, has been dealing with how to implement the technology for the last several years. A 2018 FCC ruling preventing state or municipal action that would impede or delay the roll-out of 5G technology was challenged by a number of states but upheld in federal court.
“Shortly after the ruling was issued, AT&T approached the city of Hartford with a proposal to site approximately 13 wireless devices on city-owned light poles in and around the downtown; specifically, in the area of the XL Center,” according to Mayor Luke Bronin is a letter addressed to council. “A resolution supporting this proposal was introduced before the council, but was never formally adopted.”
In 2021, AT&T filed a lawsuit in federal court against the city for its failure to act in a timely manner in accordance with the FCC ruling. In response, Gov. Lamont tapped retired judge Robert Holzberg to act as a mediator between the large carriers and several cities including Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport, New Haven, and Stamford for 5G implementation.
“The transformative capabilities of 5G technology – including ultrahigh-speed data transmission and exceptional network reliability – can foster job creation, help bridge the digital divides, and solidify cities as dynamic hubs of technological progress and economic activity,” Bronin said.
But despite the benefits of 5G technology being both faster and more responsive than the now-standard 4G network, the implementation has faced criticism over possible health effects from exposure to higher levels of electromagnetic radiation, as critics say more studies are needed. Health studies of the technology, first introduced in 2019, have been met with mixed and inconsistent results.
“What happens if a light pole is right next to a school, were there conversations around that?,” said councilman Amilcar Hernandez at the Sept. 18 committee meeting. “I understand the agreement calls for carriers to follow the FCC regulations, but there are sectors of the community that are concerned about these devices and the potential radiation and there are studies that speak to that. Were there any studies around that?”
Despite the concerns, both the World Health Organization and Food & Drug Administration have declared 5G technology safe along with several leading health agencies.
“I do have a little concern about the technology regarding the amount of radiation,” Majority Leader Thomas “TJ” Clarke II said. “That’s really the main concern. My other concern is when the rollout will actually be accessible to residents because we still have pockets in the city that lack access to the digital network.”
The carriers are required to submit a radio frequency emissions report in accordance with FCC requirements and must comply with federal radiation exposure standards, according to corporation counsel Howard Rifkin.
“I can’t necessarily address the emotional concern folks may have about this technology or exposure, but I can say that as part of the deployment, the wireless carriers have to adhere to these very specific standards,” Rifkin said. “The agreement is very specific that their deployment of these small wireless devices would not cause radio frequency interference with wireless communications including facilities or devices, cable TV, broadcast radio or police, fire department, emergency operations, ShotSpotter, walkie talkies or other communications.”
Now that the agreement has been approved, the carriers have 30 days to submit to the city a map that identifies locations the 5G wireless technology will possibly be deployed in the initial two years of the agreement.