FAQ Topic: Wireless FAQs

Examples of small cell wireless facilities:

You may contact the Public Works Agency, Development Engineering at 714-647-5039 or email Yvonne Soto at ysoto@santa-ana.org.

The owner of the small cell wireless facility (wireless provider) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the site. While the public streetlights are owned and maintained by the City, the upkeep of wireless facility is the responsibility of the wireless providers.

Notices are mailed out to property owners, residents and Neighborhood Associations within 150 or 300 feet of any new proposed wireless facility, depending on the type of the proposed installation. Notifications are not provided on eligible facility request (EFR) upgrading existing wireless facilities. EFR wireless facilities shall meet the criteria listed per Section 1455 of … Continued

Wireless communication providers increasingly use small cells to expand and upgrade their network capacity to serve the rapidly growing number of wireless devices users. As more and more customers rely on mobile or other media streaming devices, wireless providers will need to place small cell antennas close to and within residential areas to fill in … Continued

No. The City cannot prohibit placement, construction, or modification of a small cell wireless facility in a manner that effectively prohibits the provision of personal wireless services under the Federal Telecommunications Act.   Per FCC, effective prohibition occurs when a state or local legal requirement materially limits or inhibits a provider’s ability to engage in … Continued

No. The City cannot regulate wireless installations based on the potential health and environmental effects of radio frequency emissions, if the site complies with the regulations set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). (https://www.fcc.gov/general/radio- frequency-safety-0)

Small cell wireless facilities are being installed City wide in Commercial, industrial and residential areas on streetlights, overhead strands, and wooden utility poles that are owned by the Joint Pole Authority (JPA). In certain cases, the existing structure on which a proposed small cell wireless facility is to be installed must be replaced to accommodate … Continued

A small cell wireless facility is cell site designed to provide service coverage and capacity in areas where traditional “macro” wireless facilities either cannot reach or cannot provide users with broadband-level services. These facilities are able to reuse licensed spectrum bands more frequently, with lower output power and a shorter distance between the user and … Continued