We only build cell sites where needed to improve service
Think of small cells as a mini- cell sites -- they support traditional macro cell towers by bolstering coverage and capacity in targeted areas where it’s most needed. Low profile, compact, scalable and unobtrusive, small cells improve network performance by densifying our network (in other words, bringing sites closer to the customer), meaning data doesn’t have to travel as far.
We seek to attach to existing structures first and install new poles only when existing structures are unavailable
Small cells are typically used in dense urban environments with lots of demand for service and in challenging geographic environments that create coverage gaps. When placed outdoors, small cells are generally attached to existing utility poles, light poles, traffic lights in the right-of-way, but in some circumstances can be attached to exterior walls of buildings. Small cells cannot replace macro cell towers and instead complement their coverage where larger towers simply won’t fit.
We consider a variety of factors. Applicable siting and permitting requirements are always taken into account. We also look to see where we might have potential performance challenges within the network and use that data to help guide where we need to target small cells. Speed, cost, flexibility and scalability are all vital to determining if small cells are the right fit.
We take health and safety seriously
We rigorously comply with applicable local construction requirements and with the FCC’s standards for radio frequency exposure.
Wireless networks transmit voice and data using radiofrequency energy. RF is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (which is comprised of waves of electric and magnetic energy moving together through space) in the “radio wave” range.
Radiofrequency transmissions are generated by and used in many modern applications, including light bulbs, baby monitors, healthcare devices, home and industrial appliances, radios, satellites, TVs, radios and cell phones.
“No obvious adverse effect of exposure to low level radiofrequency fields has been discovered.”
- The World Health Organization (WHO)
“No consistent evidence for an association between any source of non-ionizing EMF and cancer has been found.”
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
“The incidence of brain tumors in human beings has been flat for the last 40 years. That is the absolute most important scientific fact.”
- American Cancer Society (ACS)
“If these waves were dangerous, we would have died from AM/FM radios, TVs, GPS, and garage door openers a long time ago.”
- American Council on Science and Health
“According to so many reputable organizations, we just don’t have good evidence cell phone radiation is causing us harm.”
“Over the years, plenty of careful science has scrutinized wireless technology for potential health risks. Virtually all the data contradict the dire alarms, according to public officials, including those at the World Health Organization.”
“I'll be blunt before I continue: according to experts in the scientific and medical community, as well as the World Health Organization, 5G isn't going to be a serious threat to our health. These are the types of people and organizations that have decided that we should pasteurize our milk and stop spraying DDT at mosquitos. I trust them and think you should, too.”
“Should you be worried? Not really, say almost all reputable experts. It looks as if we may have been the victims of widespread medical and scientific misinformation about 5G.
“Should you be worried? Not really, say almost all reputable experts. It looks as if we may have been the victims of widespread medical and scientific misinformation about 5G.
“If you’re not afraid of coffee or thyme, or getting a nickel with your change, you shouldn’t be afraid of 5G, or WiFi radiation in general. In the search for truth, society should rely on the full suite of scientific evidence, rather than fear or ideology, to guide us.”
In a 2019 letter, CTIA said, “the consensus among health experts is that the weight of scientific evidence shows no known health risk to humans due to the RF energy emitted by antennas and cellphones.”
Learn more about CTIA and its members here.
That is not true. The FCC RF exposure limits apply to all spectrum up to 100 GHz, including the mmWave spectrum between 24 and 40 GHz that some carriers are using to deploy 5G services. In the foreseeable future, AT&T small cell facilities will operate at frequencies below 40 GHz and RF exposure to the general public at those facilities is as low as 200 times below the FCC limits.
Wireless carriers must follow FCC RF exposure limits. The FCC, based on input from respected science, engineering and health organizations, has concluded that all antennas that meet its RF exposure limits have no harmful effect. AT&T’s wireless facilities — including small cell deployments — are designed and operated to comply with these FCC exposure limits.
RF is emitted from devices all around us — from light bulbs and televisions, to stereos and baby monitors. Small cell antennas, like radios, Wi-Fi hotspots, wireless routers and the like, emit low levels of RF.
Small cell facilities are different than traditional cell towers. They operate at power levels lower than traditional cell towers. Because small cells help optimize the network, use of small cells reduces the power and radio transmissions — including RF energy — mobile phones use to make calls and send data.
The FCC has set strict safety standards for RF exposure across all wireless spectrum, including that used for new technologies like 5G and mmWave. AT&T’s small cell sites will create general public exposure as low as 200 times below the FCC limits.
No. RF exposure guidelines are exclusively within the FCC’s authority. A Federal statute preempts cities and states from enacting their own regulations that conflict with the FCC’s, science-based RF exposure requirements. In its December 2019 Order, the FCC reaffirmed this preemption, stating “state-level warning regimes risk contributing to an erroneous public perception or otherwise disrupt the federal regime.”
Consistent with FCC requirements, AT&T will post notices on poles and wireless equipment where a utility worker could get close enough to an antenna to be exposed to higher levels of RF energy. These notices are not directed to the general public, as exposure at ground level, at a home, or in a publicly accessible area would be far (up to 200 times) below the FCC limits for harmful effects.
For more information on wireless safety, please visit: