Ashley Henry Shook

Our mobile devices have become a part of our daily life, whether it’s texting, phone calls, streaming, gaming, checking the news, social media, or responding to emails.

But we rarely think about how they actually work.

The connectivity that we enjoy today is made possible by communications infrastructure; the marriage of towers, small cells and fiber optic cable working together to form the wireless network that our devices run on.

Put simply, the data that we send to and receive from one another is transmitted via the wireless network, which is created by communications infrastructure.

With more than 262 million smart phone users and over 180 million other connected devices in the U.S. alone, it’s no wonder data traffic has increased a staggering 238 percent between 2016 and 2018.

In addition, over half of American homes are wireless, and the average household contains 13 connected devices, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Communications infrastructure — and more specifically small cell nodes — will serve as the foundation for 5G, the next generation wireless network with connection speeds up to 100 times faster than today. 5G technology is poised to unlock a wide array of transformational and impactful innovations, in everything from road safety to health care, education and city planning.

For example, Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) technology can smooth flow and congestion by minimizing red light delays based on traffic patterns. LED streetlights with adaptive dimming at night and activity-based triggers can make substantial contributions to energy efficiency, while also streamlining maintenance and repair. 5G is expected to revolutionize telehealth, providing patients — especially those in rural areas — with access to doctors and specialists that may be otherwise difficult for people to reach.

While this all may sound futuristic, the technology and the opportunities it will create are becoming realities.

Unfortunately, Pennsylvanians will not be able to fully realize the benefits of 5G unless and until the infrastructure that will serve as the backbone of this technology — small cells — is widely deployed across the state.

Enter the PA Partnership for 5G. Our mission is two-fold: to educate Pennsylvanians about 5G technology and the infrastructure required to support it; and advocate for statewide legislation that serves to promote small cell deployment throughout the Commonwealth.

Currently, 5G deployment is dependent upon the rules and ordinances established by each individual municipality in the Commonwealth. This has resulted in delays in deployment and jeopardizes our chances of accessing the technology when 5G-compatible devices become commercially available later this year. As of today, 28 other state legislatures have adopted statewide legislation that has put them at the front of the 5G line.

Thankfully, the PA Legislature is currently considering House Bill 1400, the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act. If you would like to see Pennsylvania take a step toward its 5G future, visit our website at PAPartnershipFor5G.com and use our take action tool to urge your state legislator to support HB 1400.

This column appeared in February’s edition of Butler County Business Matters.