The industry push for 5G in Sonoma

Verizon wants to begin installing hardware to upgrade its 4G wireless network in Sonoma. It’s a matter of some controversy; many members of the public and scientific community are concerned that small cell tower 4G radio wave networks are harmful to human health. But federal law is on the side of the provider: local jurisdictions like city governments are prohibited from interfering with the installation of wireless technology. Although the current plan (for units placed on existing poles along city streets) is for 4G, 5G seems inevitable. 

But what exactly is 5G, and how is it different from 4G? And why would it require so many more tower units, perhaps hundreds across town?

It all starts with radio waves. All wireless technology uses radio wave frequencies to transmit digital voice, text, and other data, like streaming video. Radio waves have been used for communication purposes since the invention of the radio by Marconi over a century ago. 

Our world is constantly awash in radio waves emitted by the sun, cosmic background radiation, other stars, and now, human generated devices. Radio waves range across a spectrum, which refers to frequency.

Up to this point, wireless technology has employed radio waves on the lower frequency end of the radio wave spectrum. Low frequency waves, like 4G transmitted by cell towers, easily penetrate solid objects, like walls and trees, and this makes it possible for cell towers to be a considerable distance from each other and the devices that communicate with them. However, the low wavelength of 4G also limits its speed and information-carrying capacity. 

5G technology utilizes higher frequency radio waves. They can carry more data, but are easily blocked by solid objects like walls, or even hands. Accordingly, 5G requires the installation of numerous, closely located transmitters – call them mini-cells – to create overlapping fields of transmission/reception. Current 5G plans call for such mini-cells to be installed on utility poles and as densely as one unit for every ten houses. Thus, in a town the size of Sonoma with about 4,500 homes, a fully-deployed 5G system will require hundreds of mini-cells spread throughout the city. 

Because 5G uses an entirely different part of the radio wave spectrum, the hardware for cell phones will have to change radically, and in time 4G technology will become obsolete. Thus 5G is not an upgrade, it is an evolution.

It’s important to understand that the term “5G” is a marketing term developed to create the impression that it is the next generation of improvements after 4G, the way Hollywood names successive movie sequels. However, 5G is nothing like 4G from a technology standpoint. Yes, 4G and 5G both use the radio wave spectrum, but that’s where the similarity stops. 

Once we are awash in 5G technology, the roll-out of internet capable “smart” technology will proceed speedily. Alexa- and Siri-like functionality will be extended to an ever-greater number of household devices, and even households themselves. We won’t just talk to Siri or Alexa, we’ll be talking to our air-conditioner, coffee maker, toaster, and microwave. This is sometimes called the “internet of things” and it’s already arrived with flat-screen TVs. 

As is so often the case, the push for 5G is driven by economic promise and consumerism, but in the long run the goals of the seven largest technology companies are what’s driving this development, and behind them all looms Artificial Intelligence, or as it’s now called, AI. 

AI promises a level of commercial intrusion into human culture as dramatic as, for example, the creation of the automobile. Steven Spielberg’s movie Minority Report provides a good glimpse of that future, where an “always connected” population is subjected to commercial exploitation customized to individual preferences and history. AI is already leaning about each of us, and as we talk to our toasters, AI will learn more. 5G’s immersive technology is essential to always being connected to the internet of things.

The Planning Commission meeting

At the Planning Commission’s recent meeting, the public turned out in force to let the  commission know of its concerns, this despite the meeting being a study session on antenna design, not a meeting to approve or deny Verizon’s application to install three “small cell” transmission towers in commercially-zoned locations. Up to seven non-commercial locations are planned for the near future. Of the roughly 35 members of the public in attendance, not one spoke in favor of the installations or the expansion of the 4G system Verizon says it is installing to improve service to its customers.

Though Verizon’s representatives directly stated that its application is not about 5G, the public voiced its doubts about that, and argued that the current level of 4G service is sufficient. Once the public comments were concluded, which mostly pertained to feared health effects of microwave radiation and which concluded with the unveiling of a “sculpture” representing a small cell tower with warning signs and symbols adorning it, the commission responded to the design choices offered by Verizon’s consultant. 

With comments from commissioners ranging from “I think they’re all ugly” to “I prefer fluted columns” to “Why doesn’t Environmental Review apply to this project?” the consultant left thanking the commission and planning to return with some final designs. 

Ironically, the application for the installation of the small towers has not yet been approved; the study session was about design only. Issues of Federal law pertaining to local jurisdiction and regulation are yet to be fully considered and/or challenged by either the commission or the City Council on appeal. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this contentious issue.