MADISON – The Madison City Council unanimously passed a local ordinance last week to accelerate the deployment of small cell technology, helping pave the way for the next generation of high-speed wireless services to Madison residents and businesses.

Small cell technology is an integral building block for 5G and future technologies and is critical to ensuring that consumers and businesses continue to enjoy the modern, high-speed connectivity they demand.

“With this new ordinance, the City of Madison is welcoming cutting-edge technologies and continued wireless investment that improve our quality of life while also preserving the character of our community,” said Madison Mayor Paul Finley. “It’s an important balance that ensures our City remains a model for other Alabama communities wanting to progress.”

“This important ordinance is aimed at streamlining the process for wireless investment, ensuring our residents have enhanced wireless connectivity today and opening the door for innovative technologies,” said Alabama State Senator Tom Butler. “This improved access will benefit all our citizens and encourage further economic growth for the city.”

Small cells are unobtrusive pieces of wireless technology that can be affixed to existing structures such as traffic signals, buildings and street lights. The size and flexibility of small cells helps wireless providers target areas with additional capacity in a way that is low profile.

This technology will enable faster wireless internet speeds, provide more and targeted network capacity for things like streaming movies or music, and lay the foundation for technologies of the future – such as 5G, smart cities and connected cars and devices.

One of those providers, AT&T, is praising the action by the Madison City Council.

“Mayor Finley and Council members in Madison are to be recognized for taking the needed steps that encourage companies to invest more in wireless infrastructure. Their efforts reflect their continued commitment to cultivating a local environment where residents and businesses have the necessary tools to succeed,” said Dave Hargrove, AT&T Alabama Regional Manager of External and Legislative Affairs. “The leadership shown by Mayor Finley and the Madison City Council enables AT&T Alabama’s workforce to turn our billions of dollars of state investment into the connectivity Alabamians are demanding and deserve.”