RCR Wireless News reports…

AT&T has said that 5G networks will rely on dense networks of small cells, and the carrier has also said that it will launch mobile 5G in 12 U.S. markets this year. It isn’t saying which markets those will be, but it has dropped a hint by publicly praising three U.S. cities that have paved the way for small cells.

Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Little Rock, AK were singled out by AT&T for “the adoption and implementation of processes and cost structures that facilitate small cell deployment.” Joan Marsh, AT&T’s EVP for regulatory and state external affairs, said these three cities are all “leaning with us into the next generation of technologies.”

Here’s what they said about Minneapolis…

Minneapolis is also a 5G Evolution test market, and AT&T has plans to install about 115 small cell nodes there. The state of Minnesota passed a small cell law in 2017 that established a 90-day process for cities to issue or deny small cell permits and set a statewide $150 per year small cell pole attachment rate, with an additional $25 per year maintenance fee.

Minnesota and Indiana are among a handful of states that have adopted small cell legislation. Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, and Virgina have also passed laws to facilitate small cell deployments.

The article doesn’t mention the impact of the Superbowl. I recall that AT&T mentioned 122 additional or enhanced cell sites in Minneapolis (St Paul and Bloomington) in the last year in preparation for the game. The good news is that infrastructure is here to say; they only deployed 10 temporary cells on wheels.

It doesn’t necessarily help rural areas but nice to see Minneapolis at the top of the list!