As we venture further into the 21st century, the advent of 5G technology signals an exciting…
Locating 5G Cell Towers Near Me – A Step-by-Step Guide
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Have you ever wondered if there is 5G technology in your vicinity? It’s challenging to know without a 5G-compatible device. The concerns surrounding 5G are well-founded, as explained in our comprehensive guide on the topic. We delve into the risks associated with this relatively new technology and provide guidance on how to safeguard yourself and your loved ones. However, if you’re uncertain about the presence of 5G in your area, you may still have lingering questions.
This guide aims to address those questions by providing methods to locate 5G towers near you. The process can be complex, but we will simplify it by presenting various approaches. Additionally, we will discuss how you can monitor the expansion of 5G, as it is likely on its way to your city. Being aware in advance allows for better preparation. If you are unsure about the necessary steps to prepare, worry not—we will cover that as well.
With a multitude of topics to explore, let’s delve into the intricacies of 5G detection and preparation.
Why Locate 5G Cell Towers Near You
Understanding the presence of 5G cell towers near your location offers invaluable advantages. This section will explore the reasons why it is crucial to be aware of the proximity of these towers, shedding light on various aspects that can influence your wireless experience.
By identifying nearby 5G cell towers, you gain insights into signal strength and network coverage. This knowledge allows you to optimize your connectivity, ensuring reliable and fast internet access for both personal and professional needs. Additionally, being aware of the locations of these towers empowers you to make informed decisions about selecting the most suitable service providers and plans based on their network infrastructure.
Furthermore, considering the potential health and environmental impacts associated with 5G technology, knowing the proximity of cell towers becomes even more relevant. By understanding the distance between these towers and your living or working spaces, you can assess and mitigate any potential concerns related to electromagnetic radiation exposure.
Locating Towers Near You
Regrettably, identifying the presence of 5G towers in your area is not a simple task. Existing cell tower tracking sites typically do not provide information specifically for 5G towers, necessitating further investigation. Uncovering the locations of local 5G towers may require employing multiple methods and acquiring specific details beforehand.
Discovering If 5G is in Your Area
Before embarking on your search for 5G towers, it is crucial to determine whether 5G technology is available in your area. Several websites can assist you in obtaining this information. It is advisable to check multiple sources as they are not updated in real-time.
One highly reliable resource for identifying nearby 5G cell towers is the Ookla 5G rollout map. Updated on a weekly basis, this map provides comprehensive global coverage. You can even follow the map on social media to receive timely updates.
Ookla’s map is user-friendly and straightforward. Upon visiting the website, you will be greeted with a page that resembles the following:
Zooming in slightly to the right, you will notice that there is an option to filter the results based on the type of deployment:
When filtering for towers, it is recommended to search for all three deployment types: commercial availability, limited availability, and pre-release. This is because even if a carrier’s 5G technology is in the pre-release phase, it indicates that the infrastructure is already in place or nearing completion. After selecting the desired deployment types, zoom in on the map to your specific area. As you zoom in, more detailed information becomes visible. On the Ookla map, 5G towers are represented by colored circles with numbers. The color of the circle indicates the deployment phase: dark blue for commercial availability, red for limited availability, and pink for pre-release.
Each circle on the map indicates the number of carriers that offer 5G in a specific area. For instance, in Detroit, Michigan, there is a navy blue circle with the number two. Clicking on the circle reveals a box stating that Verizon and AT&T Mobility provide commercial 5G availability in that location.
To get a comprehensive view of the 5G rollout in your area, utilizing a combination of Ookla, carrier website maps, and Cellular Maps is recommended. Cellular Maps offers multiple 5G maps categorized by carrier, providing a distinction between low band and high band (millimeter) 5G signals. This differentiation can be useful when locating individual towers, as it offers insights into their characteristics and placement. Millimeter signals require numerous small transmitters in close proximity, while low band towers resemble traditional cell towers. By utilizing these resources collectively, you can obtain a more accurate understanding of the 5G presence in your vicinity.
Finding 5G Towers in Your Neighborhood
Once you’ve confirmed that 5G is available in your area through coverage maps, the next step is to locate the specific towers, particularly the millimeter wave towers dispersed throughout neighborhoods. While all forms of 5G have potential hazards, it is the millimeter frequencies that raise concerns among experts. These frequencies differ significantly from the lower frequencies emitted by traditional towers like 3G and 4G.
Locating 5G cell towers proves challenging due to the inability of conventional EMF meters to detect high frequencies. To track down a tower, you require a meter capable of reading frequencies in the 24 to 39 GHz range. Currently, a spectrum analyzer like Anritsu’s Field Master Pro is your best option. With a range of 9kHz to 54GHz, it easily detects millimeter waves. By walking around and taking readings, you can pinpoint local 5G towers. Discovering frequencies within the 24 to 39GHz range indicates proximity to a 5G tower.
If obtaining a spectrum analyzer isn’t feasible, there are alternative methods to identify towers in your neighborhood. Notably, high-band 5G is offered by a limited number of providers. T-Mobile focuses on low-band towers for greater coverage, while Sprint uses mid-band frequencies. If you’re specifically concerned about millimeter waves, AT&T and Verizon are the US providers to monitor.
Although Cellular Maps provides AT&T coverage maps with more detail, it’s important to note that these maps still do not offer a neighborhood-level view. To determine whether AT&T has millimeter-wave towers in your vicinity, you can zoom in on Ookla’s map to identify blocks with 5G coverage. While exact tower locations may not be visible, the presence of 5G coverage in your block indicates the proximity of a tower.
In contrast, Verizon stands out by providing a comprehensive 5G coverage map on their official website. When you navigate to their coverage map page, you will find an extensive list of cities that have 5G coverage. This valuable resource allows you to explore the specific cities where Verizon’s 5G network is available.
Continuing further down the page, we can find Detroit listed as one of the cities.
By selecting Detroit, we are redirected to a more comprehensive page that highlights the specific regions in Detroit where Verizon currently provides commercial 5G coverage.
Upon clicking on the “Downtown” option, we are presented with a more intricate map that offers a higher level of detail and specificity.
The legend located in the lower left corner of the map provides us with the information that darker areas on the map represent 5G coverage.
Once you’ve confirmed that your neighborhood has 5G coverage, the next task is to locate the actual towers. Take a walk around your neighborhood and keep an eye out for antennas installed on existing structures like light poles, utility poles, and rooftops. In certain areas, these antennas may be designed to blend in with the surroundings, while in other cases, they may be more noticeable.
Monitoring the Growth of 5G
Staying informed about the growth of 5G is essential to be prepared for its arrival in your neighborhood. With carriers rapidly expanding their coverage, it’s only a matter of time before 5G reaches your area. This applies even to rural regions, where low-band technology may be deployed. Therefore, if you’re currently unaffected by the presence of a 5G cell tower, it’s crucial to remain vigilant. As mentioned earlier, Ookla’s map is regularly updated on a weekly basis. Make it a habit to check back every few weeks to monitor if 5G is approaching your vicinity, which will likely be indicated under the “pre-release” deployment phase.
What Can You Do to Prepare?
Preparing for the advent of 5G technology can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to address your concerns. Active participation in local government and voicing your concerns at city council meetings is a starting point. While the power of cities to regulate 5G is limited by the FCC, collective voices can influence elected officials. If you discover a tower is planned for your area or too close to your home, inform your city officials through letters or calls.
Taking measures to protect your home is also important. Extreme options like using EMF protection paint on interior walls can greatly reduce exposure but may require lifestyle adjustments. Alternatively, painting or using EMF absorbing fabric or barriers on the wall facing the tower can help mitigate radiation entering your home.
During sleep, using an EMF protective blanket is beneficial for allowing the body to recover from EMF-related damage. It is advisable to choose products that specifically protect against the higher frequencies of 5G signals. While many existing EMF protection items focus on lower frequencies, investing in shielding that covers the 10 MHz to 6 GHz range can lower overall EMF exposure, although it may not protect against millimeter waves. Opt for products like Shield Your Body’s Baby Blanket for infants and BreezyBaby’s Adult EMF Blanket for adults.
Final Thoughts
The growth of 5G has been remarkable, and its expansion shows no signs of slowing down. With its increasing popularity and coverage, the potential health concerns associated with 5G also rise. To safeguard yourself, it is essential to identify the presence and type of 5G towers near you. While low and mid-band towers raise concerns, it is the high-band millimeter towers that are particularly worrisome due to potential effects on wildlife and other alarming consequences.
The steps outlined in this article currently provide the best means of determining the existence of 5G cell towers in your vicinity. As 5G technology continues to proliferate, locating tower placements may become more accessible. Meanwhile, it is advisable to regularly check the provided websites to stay informed about the potential arrival of 5G in your area. Stay vigilant and remain aware of the ongoing developments in 5G deployment.