What is a Small Cell, and Why Does It Matter?

By Bryon Gunnerson and Brett Reall

There is currently an abundance of information related to ‘small cell’ cellular installations circulating the internet, creating confusion with local governments, property owners, and consumers. This article is intended to be a high-level overview of the industry, and only provides general guidelines related to Small Cell wireless installations. Contact Gunnerson Consulting for information specific to your situation.

What is a “Small Cell” and a Small Cell facility?

The FCC definition of a small cell includes these criteria:

• Each antenna (excluding associated antenna equipment) is no more than three cubic feet in volume;
• All other wireless equipment associated with the structure is cumulatively no more than 28 cubic feet in volume;
• The structure on which antenna facilities are mounted is 50 feet or less in height, or is no more than 10 percent taller than other adjacent structures.

This seems to be a pretty simple formula that is now embedded within the wireless code sections of most jurisdictions. Alarmingly, Gunnerson Consulting is discovering that many code sections describe the process but fail to describe what a small cell is, or do not clearly define what separates a small cell from a macro-cell within the wireless code.

What does a “Small Cell” classification do?

If an installation is defined as a Small Cell, the FCC report and order provides a mandate to jurisdictions – they must act with an administrative process to approve and never reject. What we are seeing is an increased number of applications that include the words “small cell” or “5G” where it’s clearly not a small cell by size or height. These are in fact standard or macro-cells being presented as small cells.

Here’s the “harm”:

• Most administrative processes don’t require neighborhood notifications.
• Most jurisdictions are issuing building permits at the same time as the administrative process.
• Most jurisdictions don’t post their actions on a publicly available space in real time.
• As more applications state “small cell” or “5G” on the intake forms the less adherence to the physical requirements of the report and order are being observed.

As the industry rolls into ‘high gear’ to install the massive amount of small cell antennas anticipated to be needed in the very near future, it is critical for local governments to implement protocols that will allow for timely processing of accurately represented small cell installations, while filtering and addressing sites that may not meet all requirements. Contact Gunnerson Consulting today to discuss your specific situation.