Artist Decorated New Verizon 5G Cell Site with “a design that celebrates the beauty of life and that is fun to look at”

By B.N. Frank

American opposition to 5G deployment has been ongoing for years due to various significant risks associated with it including aviation safety risks (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), cybersecurity risks (see 1, 2, 3, 4), environmental risks (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), health risks (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), privacy risks (see 1, 2, 3), weather forecasting satellite interference risks, and utility infrastructure interference risks. Research has also determined that cell towers installed within close-proximity to homes reduces their property value. So will turning small cell sites into eye candy make them more tolerable to Americans? Verizon must think so.

From RCR Wireless:

Verizon partners with art museum, ‘elevates’ 5G cell site

By Catherine Sbeglia Nin

The air project suggests that Verizon might to be trying to improve the poor curb appeal of 5G cell sites

Verizon and the Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM) in Harrisburg, PA unveiled a new 5G cell site that sports custom artwork designed by local artist Stephen Michael Haas. The project suggests that Verizon, which runs an arts program to help beautify local communities, might be trying to improve the poor curb appeal of 5G cell sites.

Despite the many connectivity benefits that 5G coverage will deliver, new cell sites have been met with hesitation — and in some cases, downright disdain — by residents, property owners and local governments who at best, consider the towers an eye sore and at worst, a serious health risk.

“We remain committed to working closely with communities in ensuring that our equipment enhances the local streetscape,” said Lynn Cox SVP and chief engineer at Verizon. “Often we disguise equipment so that it can hide in plain sight. Here, our close collaboration with SAM has elevated a cell site from network equipment to fine art that improves connectivity for Harrisburg.”

Courtesy of Verizon.

The artist, Stephen Michael Haas explained the inspiration behind his piece: “With all that is going on in the world, I wanted a design that celebrates the beauty of life and that is fun to look at. My hope is that the end result gives museum visitors and passersby a big boost of energy — an espresso shot of color — as they go about their day.”

The partnership with SAM is the second of its kind; in November, the Verizon sponsored a Kindness Mural by Pennsylvania artist Ali M. Williams at Strawberry Square.

The carrier expects to cover more than 175 million people with its 5G Ultra Wideband network, which is comprised of its mmWave and C-band spectrum, by the end of 2022.

Opposition to 5G is worldwide and this has slowed and/or stopped deployment in some locations. Since 2017 doctors and scientists have asked for moratoriums on Earth and in space (see 1, 2) and the majority of scientists oppose deployment. Since 2018 there have been reports of people and animals experiencing symptoms and illnesses after it was activated (see 1, 2, 3, 4 ). In 2019, telecom executives gave congressional testimony that they had NO scientific evidence that 5G is safe. Some researchers have also suggested that deployment may be contributing to COVID-19 infections while others say it’s not. Nevertheless, there are health risks associated with 5G exposure as well as exposure to 4G and other sources of wireless Wi-Fi radiation (see 1, 2) and Electromagnetic Fields (aka “Electrosmog”). In fact, last year, a federal court ruled in favor of organizations and petitioners that sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for NOT adequately protecting Americans from wireless radiation exposure (including 5G). Got pets? Exposure can harm them too.

Studies have also revealed that 4G is still better, more reliable, and safer than 5G (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Nevertheless, 5G expansion continues throughout the U.S., much of it being funded by the Biden Administration (see 1, 2).