you MUST wear a mask; oh, and... accept this box

[Mike Mercury]

5G boxes are coming to people’s homes, whether they want them or not

An unwelcome lawn ornament, courtesy of Verizon

https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/25/2...ipment-houston

When most people look out their windows in the morning, they likely aren’t expecting to be surprised by a chest freezer-sized box that’s feeding a 5G antenna, but that’s the exact experience some Houston residents have been having. Verizon has been installing the boxes as part of its 5G network rollout since at least 2019, and from the reporting done by the Houston Chronicle, it seems as if it’s been anything but smooth.

The boxes are known as “ground fixtures,” and they supply power and data to 5G antennas that are placed on utility poles nearby. The ones gracing people’s front window views are being set up to build out Verizon’s 5G home internet service. It’s well-known at this point that, while millimeter-wave tech is blazing-fast, it also has terrible range. The solution to that is to blanket an area with antennas, and the equipment for that has to go somewhere.

The first speed bump is that Verizon is under no obligation to get permission from homeowners before installing the boxes. In fact, it’s not even required to notify them that it’s going to happen. This is because, technically, the boxes (and the utility poles that go along with them) are installed on the right-of-way, which is land owned by the county.

The permits to place the equipment are dirt cheap to telecoms, only costing $300. They used to be $2,700 before a law was passed by the state of Texas in 2017. But it’s not just Houston that’s having to deal with the surprise boxes, and it’s not just Verizon putting them down. This drama has been playing out for years as telecoms are trying to expand their networks and prepare for the 5G transition.



While it may be startling, there are other complaints homeowners have. A common one is that the cellular equipment brings their property values down, which can lead to some extreme emotional reactions. And then, perhaps worst of all, there’s the mistakes that can come with installing new equipment: the Chronicle’s article tells of contractors digging into pipes and bursting them, flooding a street not with 5G signal, but with water.

While the strife is currently limited to certain areas, it’s perhaps a sign of things to come. As 5G continues its rollout, we can probably expect to see many more stories like this, where the desires of homeowners push up against the desires of telecoms and the community at large. If discussions aren’t starting about how to deal with it now, the surprises are going to keep showing up — if not on our doorsteps, then at least somewhere in the vicinity.

[JetMechZ16]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

5G boxes are coming to people’s homes, whether they want them or not

An unwelcome lawn ornament, courtesy of Verizon

https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/25/2...ipment-houston

When most people look out their windows in the morning, they likely aren’t expecting to be surprised by a chest freezer-sized box that’s feeding a 5G antenna, but that’s the exact experience some Houston residents have been having. Verizon has been installing the boxes as part of its 5G network rollout since at least 2019, and from the reporting done by the Houston Chronicle, it seems as if it’s been anything but smooth.

The boxes are known as “ground fixtures,” and they supply power and data to 5G antennas that are placed on utility poles nearby. The ones gracing people’s front window views are being set up to build out Verizon’s 5G home internet service. It’s well-known at this point that, while millimeter-wave tech is blazing-fast, it also has terrible range. The solution to that is to blanket an area with antennas, and the equipment for that has to go somewhere.

The first speed bump is that Verizon is under no obligation to get permission from homeowners before installing the boxes. In fact, it’s not even required to notify them that it’s going to happen. This is because, technically, the boxes (and the utility poles that go along with them) are installed on the right-of-way, which is land owned by the county.

The permits to place the equipment are dirt cheap to telecoms, only costing $300. They used to be $2,700 before a law was passed by the state of Texas in 2017. But it’s not just Houston that’s having to deal with the surprise boxes, and it’s not just Verizon putting them down. This drama has been playing out for years as telecoms are trying to expand their networks and prepare for the 5G transition.



While it may be startling, there are other complaints homeowners have. A common one is that the cellular equipment brings their property values down, which can lead to some extreme emotional reactions. And then, perhaps worst of all, there’s the mistakes that can come with installing new equipment: the Chronicle’s article tells of contractors digging into pipes and bursting them, flooding a street not with 5G signal, but with water.

While the strife is currently limited to certain areas, it’s perhaps a sign of things to come. As 5G continues its rollout, we can probably expect to see many more stories like this, where the desires of homeowners push up against the desires of telecoms and the community at large. If discussions aren’t starting about how to deal with it now, the surprises are going to keep showing up — if not on our doorsteps, then at least somewhere in the vicinity.

I wonder how many times I can accidentally hit that with my zero turn before it breaks.

[Aerovette]

I want to market Faraday drywall.

[Steve_R]

We own the street and ROW in our small subdivision, which has saved us multiple times from things like this being done.

[bsmith]

Originally Posted by JetMechZ16

I wonder how many times I can accidentally hit that with my zero turn before it breaks.

Wouldn't recommend that.

[Ronins2ndCuzzin]

They can try. LOL! 16' from the center of the road is as far as "the counties land" goes. That would make them either place the "ground fixture" in the street, or in an irrigation ditch.

**** 5G.

[thecornerman]

Originally Posted by Ronins2ndCuzzin

16' from the center of the road is as far as "the counties land" goes.

In which states?

[the new me]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I want to market Faraday drywall.

Several years ago, a friend in London had her flat painted with the equivalent of Faraday paint, plus metallic curtains (the fabric is very nice) and the same metallic weave under all the carpets. There are almost no radio signals coming in to her flat. If all the curtains are closed, her cellphone doesn't work.

[Ronins2ndCuzzin]

Originally Posted by thecornerman

In which states?

The Carolina's for sure. Others...not sure.

[DAB]

the nearest utility pole is about 1/2 away. all lines are buried out here, along the right of way of our private road. so if they are putting those boxes near a utility pole, it'll be 1/2 mile away from us.

[6spdC6]

Originally Posted by Ronins2ndCuzzin

They can try. LOL! 16' from the center of the road is as far as "the counties land" goes. That would make them either place the "ground fixture" in the street, or in an irrigation ditch.

**** 5G.

In my area that is 24' from center of two lane road.

[04 commemorative]

IB4S

[Aerovette]

Eminent domain trumps any property lines. Utilities do what they want.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Eminent domain trumps any property lines. Utilities do what they want.

Yep. The main cable and POTS phone connections come into a box in my front yard and so does a lot of the electric for my cculdesac.

henever they have to dig up something around that area I make sure they pay the money to fix my yard, grass, etc.... and they do. One time the electric company did something that killed most of the grass in my front yard and they had to pay to re-sod and my water bill for a month or so. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that my next door neighbor worked as a supervisor for the electric company, but it worked out

[Old Ben]

Originally Posted by bsmith

Wouldn't recommend that.

Do tell why not.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Old Ben

Do tell why not.

Might damage the mower.

[Old Ben]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Might damage the mower.

Not the bucket on the front of my little John Deere.

[Little Red L98.]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Eminent domain trumps any property lines. Utilities do what they want.

*Imminent

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Little Red L98.

*Imminent

*Eminent

[Little Red L98.]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

*Eminent

Sorry, you’re right but that’s just dumb.

adjective
em·​i·​nent | \ ˈe-mə-nənt \
1 : exhibiting eminence especially in standing above others in some quality or position : PROMINENT
2 : standing out so as to be readily perceived or noted : CONSPICUOUS
3 : jutting out : PROJECTING

adjective
im·​mi·​nent | \ ˈi-mə-nənt \
: ready to take place : happening soon
… systems engineers have become rather blasé about the imminent liftoff.
— Steven L. Thompson
—often used of something bad or dangerous seen as menacingly near
imminent disaster
Like books, board games appear headed for imminent demise at the hands of cathode-ray terminals.