Medford To Resume Talks Over Verizon 5G Sites

MEDFORD, MA — A proposal to install 44 short-range mobile 5G sites, known as "small cells," stalled as the pandemic hit Medford last year, but talks are set to resume later this month. The city will hold a public meeting about the proposal Wednesday, March 31 at 6 p.m.

Verizon Wireless, which is behind the plan, said the cells work in conjunction with larger cell towers to expand coverage in high-traffic areas. Coverage can range from a few hundred feet to upwards of 1,000 feet, allowing more customers to use the network, according to the company.

The city adopted an interim small cell policy in 2019 which, among other stipulations, outlines aesthetic restrictions like paint-matching and prohibits them on government-owned infrastructures like traffic lights and roadways.

Visit www.medfordma.org/mayor/city-events for the Zoom link to the March 31 meeting. See a map of the proposed sites below, via the city of Medford:

Previously: Verizon Proposing 44 5G Sites In Medford