PLAYBOOK
Region

Small cells and leasing

1 min read

Poles as a source of income.

Learning Track · Module 9: Smart poles · Step 73 of 101

Showing content for Europe. Change the region at the top of the page.

Mobile operators need many sites for 5G. Street light poles are good sites. A city can lease them.

  • Set a standard design for small cells on poles, so each request is simple to approve.
  • Agree who maintains what, who can open the pole, and how quickly.
  • RF exposure limits apply. Europe, Middle East, South Asia: Most countries use ICNIRP guidelines. USA: The FCC sets RF exposure limits.
  • USA: FCC rules (2018 small cell order) limit the fees and the time a city can take to approve small cells on its poles.

    • Sources

    1. ICNIRP Guidelines (2020)
    2. FCC 18-133 Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order (small wireless facilities)

    Changes: 30 October 2026: First publication: guides for Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the USA; failure library; tender clause library; comparisons; tools; downloads. See the changelog. Found a mistake? Report it.

    Open in the Learning Track

    Graph View

    Backlinks