Small Cell Deployment

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Wireless technology continues to expand throughout the world promoting innovation and productivity and as such, users are seeking the best coverage with the fastest connection.

To meet this need, telecommunications companies plan to install small cell equipment on Silicon Valley Power’s (SVP) property with as little disruption to the community as possible. Design standards have been developed to integrate the equipment into the existing streetlights, minimize visual impact, and remain safe and secure.

Background

On Sep. 26, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued WT Docket No. 17-79 and WC Docket No. 17-84 to accelerate wireless broadband deployment by removing supposed barriers to infrastructure investments. This order limits cities control over the deployment of small cell antennas within the City’s right-of-way.

SVP has been approached by multiple communication carriers who plan to deploy small cell technology on City owned streetlights. At the December 15, 2020 City Council meeting, the Council approved the execution of a Small Cell Attachment Agreement Between the City of Santa Clara and New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC (AT&T) [RTC20-1756].

The purpose of these deployments will be to supplement existing cell phone voice and data coverage and implement future wireless services.

Virtual community meeting

On November 5, 2020, Silicon Valley hosted a virtual community meeting to discuss small cell antennas on streetlights throughout the City. The purpose of this meeting was to engage in our community and gather input to help shape future development projects. A panel of subject matter experts were in attendance and participants were able to ask questions and share their thoughts.

Watch the recorded video here.

Panel participants:
Riad Sleiman, Principal Electric Utility Engineer, Silicon Valley Power
David Witkowski, Executive Director of Civic Technologies Initiatives at Joint Venture Silicon Valley
Rajat Mathur, P.E., Vice-President, Hammett & Edison, Inc.

Last Updated:

09-22-2025

Contact Us

For questions, contact: info@santaclaraca.gov or
(408) 615-5600

FAQs

What are small cells?

Small cells are antennas that are used by telecommunication carriers to improve network capacity. They are attached to street light poles and act in conjunction with the larger traditional cell towers to provide service in areas that the tower can’t reach or to provide more capacity in a congested area. Small cell antennas are important for the future of Fifth Generation (5G) service as some 5G signals do not travel as far as 4G signals, and traditional towers are not used to provide 5G. Instead small cell antennas will be used to ensure that an area has sufficient 5G coverage.
Can the City prohibit the installation of small cells on my block?

No. Under State law, telecommunications carriers have a right to install small cell facilities in the public right-of-way and on utility poles. The City, however, can regulate certain aspects of the design and placement of those facilities.
Is a permit required from the City?

Yes. The Department of Public Works (DPW), after coordinating with Silicon Valley Power (SVP), will issue a permit for the installation of small cell facilities in the public right-of-way.
Does the City’s permit review address health concerns?

Only in part. Under federal law (1996 Telecommunications Act), the City is prohibited from denying a permit to construct a small cell facility based on health concerns over radiofrequency (RF) emissions, provided that the emissions from the facility comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards. In order to assure compliance with FCC standards, the City reviews every application for a small cell facility and requires field tests for each facility.

After a facility is approved and installed, field testing is required to be performed to ensure the facility meets the FCC’s standards. Residents within 50-feet of the facility will be notified by the carrier of the date that testing is scheduled to occur and can ask for testing of their dwelling units at no charge by contacting the carrier. Testing of dwelling units will occur only on the scheduled date, and the carrier will not be required to revisit a site for further testing of dwelling units after the initial testing has occurred. Testing may also be required when a permit is renewed, or when a site is modified (replacing/adding antennas or equipment), if the modifications may affect the antenna(s) output. The carrier will be required to file a report of their field test results with the City.

For more information about the safety of RF emissions, please refer to the FCC’s Safety FAQ and the Cancer.org Safety Information page. Additional details can be found at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Cancer Institute, and the World Health Organization.
Does the field test report take into account the RF exposure level on upper stories of residences closer to the antenna?

A field test report will take into account the location, orientation, and output of the antenna, relative to the nearest publicly accessible areas, such as balconies, roof decks, and nearby dwellings (including upper stories), and the tester will use a bucket truck to measure the exposure levels directly at the antennas. The RF emissions at any publicly accessible area must also comply with the standards set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Field testing can be arranged at no charge for residents, including from within their dwelling.
How does the RF exposure from these antennas compare to the RF output from a mobile phone?

RF exposure is highly dependent on factors like distance and orientation from the antenna. Generally, any person within their home (even if on an upper story dwelling unit at the same level as the antenna) or at ground level would be subject to higher RF exposure levels from a mobile phone in their hand than the RF exposure typically seen from these antennas.
What is the City doing to ensure aesthetic appeal and design?

The City recognizes the need to preserve aesthetic appeal in our community when developing sensible, fair, and safe small cell design and permitting guidelines that deliberately address aesthetic appeal.
Why are we putting them on streetlights?

Small cells will be placed on streetlights in the public right-of-way since these locations are easily accessible from the street and provide the height and spacing necessary to provide consistent coverage.

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Silicon Valley Power

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Small Cell Deployment

Background

Virtual community meeting