5G wireless service coming to Sacramento this year

The demand and need for high-speed data connectivity from residents, businesses, and visitors is on the rise with no end in sight. 5G is the latest approach to increase wireless capacity for smartphones and internet service. Technologies like 5G promise to revolutionize the daily lives of people in ways that we can only imagine.

The City plays an important role and is actively working to streamline the development processes and effectively and efficiently pave the way for innovators to implement technologies that will drive economic vitality and close access barriers and gaps to serve our diverse communities.

Verizon has chosen Sacramento as one of the first markets in which it is launching 5G residential broadband service. This first deployment is based on fixed wireless 5G specification, which offers ultra-high-speed, low latency residential broadband service to homes using millimeter wave spectrum.

Verizon 5G small cells on Sacramento city or utility poles will typically consist of up to three small-scale antenna/radios mounted near the top of the pole and will be installed throughout the community. 5G will be available in Sacramento in late 2018.

Is it Safe?

 The weight of scientific evidence has not linked exposure to radio frequency Energy from mobile devices with any known health problems. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in consultation with numerous other federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, maintains safety standards. The FCC explains that its standards “incorporate prudent margins of safety.” It explains further that “radio frequency emissions from antennas used for cellular and PCS transmissions result in exposure levels on the ground that are typically thousands of times below safety limits.” The FCC provides information about the safety of RF emissions from cellular base stations on its website at: http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html.

Who regulates wireless?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the Commission is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America’s communications law and regulations.
The City of Sacramento cannot by law regulate wireless telecommunication. The City and all local governments, are required to comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations related to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which states: No State or local government or instrumentality thereof may regulate the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities on the basis of the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such facilities comply with the regulations contained in this chapter concerning the environmental effects of such emissions. All wireless devices installed in the City of Sacramento must meet all FCC regulatory requirements.