Technology nerds have been writing and talking about the new 5G wireless technology for some time, but the City of Fishers is preparing to decide how to handle the roll out of this next step in connecting us without wires.

The technology most of us use for our cell phones is 4G.  There are tall towers that have a large range to serve 4G wireless customers.  The 5G system will provide much faster downloads and more options for customers.  But there is a catch.

5G towers have a much smaller range than the 4G setup.  The 5G towers, also called “small cells,” have a range measured not in miles but in feet.  So, if you are driving through a neighborhood with 5G installed, you will see a small cell tower every 2-3 blocks at best, sometimes closer together.

The City of Fishers has received legal advice that local governments cannot take into account any health risks, if there are any, because only the federal government can make health risk determinations.  That means cities like Fishers will be handling applications from wireless companies wanting to install 5G small cell towers in Fishers neighborhoods.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness says there are about 40 small cell 5G tower requests pending in Fishers neighborhoods.  He expects there are roughly 400 more set to get into the pipeline soon.

One major impact the city can have is doing its best to keep these towers out of the way of residents homes to the extent possible.  For example, if a wireless firm wants to erect a small cell tower in front of a family home, impacting the window view or just in the way, the city can work to move that tower slightly, perhaps to a common area in the neighborhood or next to a pond.

The complication is just how close these towers need to be spaced in order to provide the full 5G wireless service.  There may be instances where moving a small cell tower away from a home may not be possible.

The Fishers Board of Works and Public Safety has legal jurisdiction over the small cell tower placement issue locally, and the board plans to have a work session, planning how to move forward on the 5G network in Fishers.  The next scheduled meeting of the board is Monday, March 9th, 4:00pm, at the City Hall Council Chambers.

The Board of Public Works and Safety is comprised of Mayor Scott Fadness and his two appointees, Jeff Lantz and Jason Meyer.