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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/03/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularTelecommunications advisory commission Official minutes Meeting of March 13, 2019 1. Call to order Chair Abe Levine called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 2. Roll call a. Introduction of new member Yonah Davis Present: Maren Anderson, Bruce Browning, Cindy Hoffman, Abe Levine, Nathan Munson, Yonah Davis Absent: David Dyer, Rolf Peterson Staff: Jermaine Wheeler, Jacque Smith, John McHugh, Clint Pires Guests: Josh Forsythe, Tamora Hartman and Mary Julius, Verizon 3. Adoption of agenda No changes to the agenda. Motion by Browning, second by Anderson to approve agenda; all voted in favor of approval. 4. Approval of minutes: October 10, 2018 Commissioner Browning noted several minor corrections to be addressed by staff. Motion by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approve minutes with minor changes; all voted in favor of approval. 5. Public comment: none 6. Reports and discussion a. Guest: Josh Forsythe, manager, business development for global network and technology, Verizon to discuss 5G and smart cities; Tammy Hartman, Mary Julius who work with small cells and fiber. Julius stated they have tried various models for cities and over time, Verizon has put more employee resources online and with community outreach. Their main objective is to meet with cities in Minnesota, and to understand right of way use. Hartman presented a video related to usage in cities, which is projected to grow seven fold through 2053. Small cells increase wireless uses and service in cities, freeing up traffic to move data more quickly, and attach to infrastructure, like utility and light poles. This provides faster and more reliable capability and improved networks for safety and emergencies as well. Hartman reiterated how important small cells are for cities. She noted over half the homes in St. Louis Park are wireless now. Julius explained small cell technology is the network capacity for the future, and are ideally attached to light poles in the right of way, getting the signal as close as possible to the user. Commissioner Browning asked what the band of frequencies is that’s being used. Mr. Forsythe stated 4G which is 700 megahertz, allowing for faster speed. Page 2 Commissioner Browning asked about lower frequencies and why Verizon was not pursuing this as it travels a greater distance. Forsythe stated that lower frequency doesn’t allow for as fast a throughput speed, therefore they are focusing on high-frequency speeds. Chair Levine asked how the fiber build out will be handled by Verizon. Forsythe said that’s a great question; on the backbone on 4G and 5G small cells is a fiber outlet and Verizon is working to lay fiber to feed those cells and macro towers. They might also offer this as an option to small and medium size businesses, which would set them up for 5G. Chair Levine asked if they will add more small cells; he wanted to know if the amount of cells would need to be doubled. Forsythe said he wants to be clear Verizon is not throwing out 4G. He said likely they will have a combined 4G/5G network as they start to roll out 5G. Hartman said the nice thing about 5G is it’s a small profile; radios and antennas are integrated in one unit unlike 4G cells. Commissioner Browning mentioned all the hyperbole around 5G and asked if 5G will be a fixed wireless network initially as it rolls out. Forsythe said on April 11 Minneapolis and Chicago will roll out first 5G wireless network so it can be used by home devices and new 5G mobile devices, of which three have been announced so far. Forsythe complimented the legislative environment and partnerships with cities in Minnesota, which is laying the groundwork for 5G. Forsythe said that due to low latency and faster speeds, telemedicine and autonomous vehicles will become possible with 5G. Commissioner Davis asked if the small cells will only benefit those on the Verizon network, and asked what percentage of St. Louis Park residents are on Verizon. Hartman said the information on number of customers on Verizon is proprietary information. Julius added that it can be assumed that if Verizon is the first carrier into the area with small cells then the demand is likely high. Commissioner Browning asked if rural areas can also be served by this or not. Mr. Forsythe stated rural areas can be served by it if there is access to fibers nearby that can feed into small cells. He stated 4G serves these areas by macro towers currently, adding that 5G should evolve in rural neighborhood areas. Hartman stated the challenge with 5G is an offloading/capacity issue right now, not coverage. Commissioner Munson asked if carriers will share poles or each have their own poles. Julies responded that placement of poles is very strategic. Right now, because of required separations and because poles aren’t tall enough, it’s just one carrier per pole. Pires added Xcel restricts each pole to one carrier at this time, and the rules can be different depending on the city. Xcel allows only one cell per pole; half of street light utility poles in St. Louis Park are owned by Xcel. Pires asked the presenters to shift beyond the 5G technology to a discussion of smart cities and the role Verizon will play in smart cities. Pires asked if Verizon is building the infrastructure and hoping other partners will benefit. Forsythe said they have smart city solutions for partners as well as in-house solutions for things like surveillance, lighting, etc. 5G unlocks even more possibilities like traffic management, true wireless video surveillance and more. Chair Levine noted the city has a smart cities subcommittee, and would like Page 3 to meet and learn more from Verizon about this topic. Forsythe stated they would be happy to meet with the subcommittee. Pires said some questions the city receives are about trajectory of deployment of 5G, and some have fear there will be a massive deployment. He asked about the realistic expectation for deployment in a city like St. Louis Park. Hartman said 5G is the next industrial revolution and that the internet of things will change the way we live. Right now we’re talking about a capacity solution, not widespread coverage. Julius said that right now St. Louis Park has six small cells; only a handful will be added over the next couple years. Hartman said she doesn’t know what the future will be – small cells could be as small as an LED light. They are tempering expectations. Verizon and other carriers aren’t deploying thousands, or hundreds, or even tens of cells. It’s very strategic based on need. Cells communicate about 700 feet so no need to have them every few feet. Pires said it’s important to get past hype and understand that technology has to catch up; currently there are no 5G devices. Commissioner Levine asked if current LTE requires small cells; Forsythe said in areas of congestion they would be needed. Commissioner Browning asked if Verizon covers all of downtown Minneapolis. Forsythe said it’s as needed. There is full 4G coverage in downtown Minneapolis, Verizon is adding small cells where needed to users get speeds they expect. Julius added that the Twins, Viking stadiums – wherever people gather – are places small cells are installed. Pires said the city’s cell phone provider is Verizon due in part to the excellent coverage for public safety, as well as speed. Commissioner Levine asked if everything is upgraded to LT Advanced; he understands speeds are significantly better than 4G LTE. Forsythe wasn’t exactly sure; they are real estate team not technology. Commissioner Munson asked how they worked with city of Minneapolis on fiber backhaul. Forsythe said first they purchased MCI that had a backbone, then submitted permits and also developed relationships. They wanted the city to know what they were doing and why. He said it’s important for them to talk with cities and look at it as a partnership. Commissioner Hoffman asked the range between cells. Julius stated the range is 300-700 feet, depending on barriers such as trees, buildings, etc. that might block signals. Commissioner Levine thanked the Verizon guests for attending and thanked Pires for making it happen. Verizon staff said they’d leave cards; Commissioner Levine said they’d be in touch about meetings with smart cities subcommittee. Hartman added that she and Julius are part of a community outreach team and would be happy to have an open house or meet with council. They live in the community and are happy to help with the message. b. Update on US Internet Pires provided background that US Internet started fiber to the premise in July 2017. The first installation took place at Era at Excelsior (formerly Meadowbrook Manor). 554 units were passed in that installation. USI is now in and live in 27 commercial buildings and 23 multiple dwelling units, encompassing 1,313 units citywide. For 2019 USI will get at least two more commercial units live and has contracts with eight more MDUs, including Louisiana Court, for another 330 residential units. Page 4 The city emphasized with USI the need for emphasis on providing service to NOAH (naturally occurring affordable housing) properties. They are now in discussions with Oak Park Village for future installation. As important, 2019 will be the first year USI will build and complete fiber to the first single-family neighborhood in St. Louis Park - the south half of the Sorensen neighborhood. This includes 358 single family homes. Total addresses passed will be just shy of 600. This will be a very crucial test for the viability of their service in St. Louis Park and will drive the trajectory of their investment in St. Louis Park after this year. Their take rate is matching that of Minneapolis over the past several years, with which they’ve been very happy. It’s also important to note that even as USI makes this investment in St. Louis Park Comcast continues to make investments in its fiber backbone in St. Louis Park. Pires said it’s good to see not only new providers but also reinvestment by current providers. Commissioner Hoffman asked if it was up to the owner of MDUs whether or not to allow all three companies to come to their property. Pires said yes, it is their decision. It is also the case that some MDUs have previous agreements with other providers that prevents addition of another service. Commissioner Browning asked if that holds true for a brand new building also. Mr. Pires stated yes. He added overall the city wants to pursue multiple providers to increase the competition and choice. McHugh asked how someone who wanted to live in an apartment building served by USI could find out which apartment buildings are served. Pires said USI would provide that information on their website or through a phone call. c. Review complaint logs Commissioner Levine asked if the first case was ever resolved. Mr. McHugh stated the complainant was going to call back if he needed additional help; since he didn’t call back it was assumed the case had been resolved. 7. Communications from the chair, commissioners and city staff Chair Levine gave a recap of the February 25 boards and commissions meeting with city council. He said TAC had the least amount to specifically report, but had the most conversation because the TAC is in transition and some of the commission’s discussion topics, like smart cities, were of interest to the city council. Commissioner Levine said in the conversations he’s had with other residents, some of the other commissions are also trying to figure out their mission. a. Staff i. Study session date to discuss TAC’s future direction Suggested: Wednesday, April 17 – 6 p.m. – the commission agreed to this day and time. ii. ParkTV volunteer event: April 4, 5-7 p.m. McHugh stated this is a yearly event and participants have been invited via email invitation. Recognition certificates will be given out along with ParkTV branded giveaway items. The commission was included in the invite list. iii. Next regular meetings: 1. May 8, 2019 – Chair Levine asked if this meeting can be changed to May 7, 2019, as he will be out of town. The commissioners will let staff know if this date works. 2. July 10, 2019 McHugh noted he distributed information to the commission related to ParkTV programming in 2018 and 2019, and said commissioners can contact him with questions. Page 5 8. Adjournment Commissioner Browning moved to adjourn the meeting, Commissioner Anderson seconded. All voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.