Relief could soon come for longstanding cell service issues in Germantown with new technology from Verizon.

The company is installing small cell facilities throughout the suburb, and they are visible. Existing light poles are being replaced by ones suitable for the needed antennas supporting 5G service.

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The city has received 113 small cell facility requests from Verizon, according to Jessica Comas, Germantown’s marketing and communications manager. 

The city is bound by state law in how it accepts the applications. In 2018, Tennessee legislators passed the Competitive Wireless Broadband Investment, Deployment and Safety Act. The legislation gave cellular providers access to lay the groundwork near streets, highways and public rights of way in municipalities and counties. Legislators also set guidelines for local approval and fees.

Cities do not have to establish an approval process, but if they do it must be in line with the state’s law. Germantown’s Board of Mayor Aldermen amended the zoning ordinance. When a provider requests a permit from the city, Germantown staff ensures it is consistent with state guidelines. If it is, the suburb must accept the application within 60 days.

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However, state law does not give municipalities the ability to request specific sites, and the city has little control over the appearance of the small cells.

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With the 4G towers, the city had more influence over both location and aesthetics. For example, a tower near Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church is placed among many trees and so it is a monopine design. Another tower near Madonna Learning Center is close to power lines and the city ultimately chose the monopole design.

The first few small cells were installed in the western portion of the city, and the company will move eastward. New ones are visible throughout the Central Business District.

The technology works with existing coverage already provided to help give customers more consistent service. The small cells will take calls off the existing towers, which is expected to help provide better coverage throughout the Germantown community, according to Verizon.

Additionally, the cell company allows emergency services to leverage the coverage and quickly respond to emergency situations. Additionally, there is an uptick in demand for efficient and reliable cellular service as more and more homes abandon landlines. About 52% of households in the United States are wireless only, Verizon said.