The City of Fresno announced that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with 5 Bars Communities and will begin marketing the city’s assets for small cell and wireless use. This effort will enhance the ability of Fresno’s citizens to access high speed wireless connectivity throughout the city. The comprehensive program encompasses intelligent infrastructure technologies, smart city initiatives and 5G wireless planning.
“This plan allows the City of Fresno to move forward in our ‘smart city’ efforts while identifying innovative funding streams that are a part of our ongoing strategy of prudent fiscal management,” said Fresno Mayor Lee Brand.
“We are excited to move forward with 5 Bars and this agreement in order to bring greater coverage to our City, create a platform for Smart City initiatives and drive new revenue to Fresno,” said Bryon Horn, Chief Information Officer for the City of Fresno.
As wireless carriers look to densify existing networks, it is estimated that the wireless industry will deploy hundreds of thousands of small cells, making it increasingly difficult for cities to manage the application and installation process. In collaboration with the carriers, 5 Bars Communities will streamline applications with a predictable process while preserving aesthetics. As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and State of California look to pass preemptive legislation SB 649 intended to reduce local control over rights of way, finding a proactive path to protect assets and secure streamlined permitting is imperative.
“We are excited to be working alongside the City of Fresno’s leadership as they look to advance their wireless footprint in the growing environment for 5G and smart city infrastructure,” said Monnie McGaffigan, President of 5 Bars Communities. “All of this planning will benefit the City of Fresno for years to come and advance its economic sustainability as a wired community.”
5 Bars will act as an advocate for the City, offering its intelligent platform which provides an ongoing solution that identifies opportunities for wireless collocation, while minimizing impacts from wireless facility siting decisions. The decision for Fresno to partner with 5 Bars Communities was based on maintaining local control, preventing visual blight and increasing connectivity for businesses, residents and citizens. The solution will be the basis to deploy smart city and enhance business investment, and be used to improve city services.
About 5 Bars Communities
5 Bars Communities, a DBA of XG Communities, is Headquartered in Irvine, California. As a premier provider of Small Cell Wireless Marketing Plans for Counties, Cities and Municipalities developing comprehensive wireless strategies through a unique holistic view of assets, coverage, and capacity.