Wireless Infrastructure FAQ

Wireless Infrastructure FAQ

What is 5G?

5G is a catch-all phrase for the ‘fifth generation mobile network’. It is the next evolution in mobile and wireless technology. 

4G and earlier generations required the use of macro cell sites such as towers and rooftop antennas or masts, to access voice and data services. 5G will overlay 4G networks and evolve existing 3G and 4G capabilities, delivering faster connections and greater capacity, and significant economic benefits.

The next generation of wireless networks - 5G - has been described as:

  • a critical step for building connected, resilient and smart cities that will support technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT refers to the connection of devices and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.
  • ‘infrastructure for innovation’ upon which governments, academia, small-and-medium businesses and industry will enable a wide range of applications such as autonomous vehicles, remote care, smart metering and integrated public safety.

5G technology is still mostly in the development phase, but there are pockets of deployments in a few areas across the globe. Roll out will depend on the wireless service providers’ investment commitments, which are generally market driven.

Contribution of 5G to Canadian Economy

Potential benefits of 5G to municipal services for Calgarians in the future include Next Generation 9-1-1, smart traffic management and integrated public safety. 5G technology is new, developing and evolving. Many future benefits are unknown and immeasurable in how it will advance the safety, accessibility and lifestyles for the citizens of Calgary. Learn more about 5G technology here​.

History of wireless technology

5G technology is still mostly in the development phase, but there are pockets of deployments in a few areas across the globe. Roll out will depend on the wireless service providers’ investment commitments, which are generally market driven.

Wireless Lingo

fibre

The term fibre refers to the cabling that is installed underground in the rights-of-way and connects a wireless service providers’ core network to the small cell technology.

conduit/ducting

The terms conduit and ducting are often used interchangeably and reference the underground pipe or tube that is used to route and protect a wireless service provider’s fibre or cable. The term ‘duct bank’ refers to a collection of these conduits and may either be directly buried in earth, or encased in concrete. A duct bank allows for easier access for the replacement or repair of damaged cables, without the expense of re-excavating a trench.

small cell

Small cell refers to a low-powered cellular radio access node that wireless service providers may attach to poles, buildings, etc. to improve cellular network coverage, capacity, speed and user experience. Small cells are, on average, 30 cm by 30 cm and typically have a range of 10 to 500 metres and are generally attached at a height of 4.5 meters to 5.5 meters. Individual Small Cells require power, but do not require a cabinet. In order for the small cell technology to work, it requires fibre (cable) backhaul (underground and overhead) that connects a wireless service providers core network to the small cell technology.

macro cell

Macro cell refers to a high power cellular base station used by wireless service providers to provide cellular network coverage to a large area, ranging from a few kilometres up to tens of kilometres. A macro cell panel is, on average, one to five metres tall. Macro cell base stations have power outputs of typically tens of watts and are found on towers and rooftops. Macro sites are typically shared by more than one wireless service provider which may include multiple antennas, radios, equipment cabinets, support masts/structures, power and fibre (cable) backhaul (underground and overhead) that connects a wireless service providers core network to the small cell technology.

latency

The term latency refers to the time it takes for devices to respond to each other over the wireless network. For example, 3G networks had a typical response time of 100 milliseconds, 4G is around 30 milliseconds and 5G will be as fast as one millisecond.

IoT

The term IoT stands for the ‘Internet of Things’ and refers to the connection of devices and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. IoT examples in teh real world include wearables (e.g. smartwatch) and smart homes (e.g. Amazon Echo).

spectrum

The term spectrum refers to the electromagnetic waves that travel within a certain band of wavelength. All 5G wireless devices communicate by radio waves, over frequency channels assigned from a common pool of frequencies, which are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Spectrum is the invisible signal that allows Wireless Service Providers to transmit data across long distances to cellphones and other internet-connected devices. In radio and telecommunications, the frequency spectrum can be shared among many different broadcasters.

5G Resources and Related Research

Health Canada:

FDA:

World Health Organization:

Public Health England:

Australian Radiation protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection:

Swedish Radiation Safety Authority

Contact

For more information, email us at WID@calgary.ca

Learn More

 

​References

This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The City of Calgary accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically. ​

undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null