September 2, 2020
Allie Potter
TUCSON (KVOA) – Looking at the small cell pole, it looks a lot like a light pole, but if you look a little closer, it is not. It is actually a wireless pole to provide faster speed internet and better cell reception.
It sounds great right? Not exactly great news if you are a resident with one in your front yard.
“I do not think it adds to my property value. I asked them if there were other options besides near my front door and they said no based on the grid they set up,” said Tucson resident Josh Franklin.
Franklin did not have a say in the new cell pole outside his house. In fact, he found out about it when they were digging in his yard two months ago. He contacted the City of Tucson. They do not have a say in the installation either.
According to state legislation, the city’s role is only processing permits for these small cell wireless poles.
“We review the permits as they come in, make sure they are in compliance with the requirements of the permit and then we issue the permit,” City of Tucson Department of Transportation & Mobility Deputy Director Sam Credio said.
Verizon and AT&T install these poles.
“We have no say on where the poles actually go. That design is done by Verizon and AT&T,” said Credio.
Watch the video and read the full article at: