5G wireless is coming -- and the battle has already begun over where to allow the antennas in Maryland

Baltimore’s (MD) streets are dotted with more than 600 “small cell wireless facilities” on streetlights and utility poles, making the city one of the first areas in MD to welcome the new technology. The sometimes box-like equipment delivers cellular signals faster than traditional cell phone towers, paving the way for 5G service. The wireless industry and local governments have faced off on the issue in the General Assembly, and could again in 2020. The industry wants a clear path to install the equipment and would like to see statewide legislation, while local governments want to control where the facilities go and what they look like.  The Federal Communications Commission ordered local governments to set up permitting programs and allow the small cell facilities. The order, which went into effect in Jan, requires local governments to turn around approvals within 60 to 90 days and limits permit fees to a range of $100 to $500. Dozens of city and county governments across the country have challenged the FCC order in court, but it remains in effect while the litigation plays out.