AT&T flips switch on 5G tower in Peters Township
Elected officials and representatives of AT&T were at Peterswood Park Friday morning to mark the completion of a 5G cell tower.
The 85-foot-tall structure is located behind Hofbauer Field, and should improve cell service in the area. David Kerr, president of AT&T Pennsylvania, noted the topography of the area provides challenges for providing coverage.
“In Western Pennsylvania we have some elevation challenges, especially in Peters Township … This really augments our network and allows us to provide some additional coverage and capacity,” Kerr said.
Kerr was joined Friday by state Rep. Natalie Mihalek, Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman and Commissioner-elect Electra Janis.
Mihalek noted how poor cell reception had been in Peterswood Park before the 5G tower.
“Beyond the convenience factor of it, you really need it for emergency responders,” Mihalek said. “It’s one thing to be stuck in that roundabout traffic over the summer when it was under construction with no bars … But it’s another when you have so many seniors in the area, and a growing population of seniors. They’re more and more relying on their cellphone instead of a landline.”
Kerr explained that the tower includes “Band 14 spectrum,” which allows access to AT&T’s FirstNet.
Basically, FirstNet is a network that will always prioritize available bandwidth for emergency calls. The company describes it as a “VIP lane” for public safety officials.
“If there is an emergency in the township this Band 14 on this tower right here gives what’s called priority and preemption to first responders,” Kerr said.
According to Kerr, it has taken AT&T about a year to bring the tower to fruition.
“We’re here to celebrate today, and I just really appreciate … the chance to really acknowledge this thing,” Kerr said.