New Yorkers overwhelmingly support building a giant 32-foot-tall 5G cell phone tower in their neighborhood to boost Wi-Fi service, and a new poll shows the structure is an eyesore. This far exceeds the number of critics.
This survey conducted by Harris X Poll Link for NYCasked a resident of the Big Apple: “Below is a photo of the new Link 5G smart pole, which provides improved 5G cell phone coverage and free Wi-Fi connectivity around the smart pole installation location. . Do you support installing smart poles like this in your neighborhood?”
More than three-quarters (76%) of respondents said they supported “smart poles” being installed in their neighborhoods, while 12% opposed them and a further 12% were unsure. This was revealed in a public opinion poll.
New Yorkers were also asked, “Assuming there is a new Link5G smart pole in your neighborhood, how likely are you to use free Wi-Fi?”
Approximately 3 in 4 respondents, or 74%, said they were likely to use free Wi-Fi, 18% were less likely to use it, and the rest were unsure.
Another question was posed to residents. “Which of the following best describes your view?” Link5G smart poles provide the benefits my neighborhood and community need. Link5G smart poles provide no added value to my neighborhood or community. ”
Answer: 61% said 5G towers provide needed benefits, 18% said they do not add value, and the rest were unsure.
Approximately 2,000 5G power poles are scheduled to be installed across the city, and some have already been installed.
But opponents, especially those on the Upper East Side and Soho, say the tower is ugly, out of character and they don’t want it built in their neighborhoods.
The UES is home to historic and landmark streets, including the fashionable and touristy Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Madison Avenue shopping districts.
On Monday, UES Carnegie Hill residents will join Congressman Jerrold Nadler and other members of Congress to protest 5G towers and recommend alternatives.
It’s not just politicians and residents who are making noise about 5G poles.
Former Knicks basketball player John Starks objected last year when the city slapped one of the structures in front of a Kia dealership in Queens.
The poll found that the most enthusiastic supporters of 5G service were from the Bronx and Manhattan, millennials, parents, black men, and Democrats.
The biggest opponents were people from Staten Island, middle-income residents, and senior citizens.
As the Post reported last week, a company called Comptek has proposed a smaller, more elegant pole that can be fixed or connected to a light pole and blends into the landscape better than a 32-foot-tall antenna tower.
LinkNYC Services are provided by CityBridge under a franchise agreement with New York. CityBridge is a group of companies comprised of technology, user experience, and connectivity experts.
To identify New Yorkers’ mobile wireless and internet needs and measure awareness and support for Link5G smart poles, LinkNYC conducted an online survey of 1,617 New Yorkers from July 17-23.
The LinkNYC/CityBridge consortium said poll results show there is widespread support, not opposition, for 5G towers and that protesters are in the minority.
“It is clear that many areas across the five boroughs will not be able to install new Link5G smart poles.
We’ll be there soon,” said Nick Colvin, CEO of LinkNYC.
“LinkNYC is working closely with the city to ensure all New Yorkers have access to the high-speed broadband they need to thrive in an increasingly online society,” Colvin added.
“This new research shows that nearly all New Yorkers rely on mobile phone networks to stay connected throughout the day, and most experience frustration from slow data speeds and dropped calls,” he said. This has been confirmed.” “We need to improve existing services and ensure that New York City remains a leader on the world stage, both technologically and in terms of ensuring equitable access for all of our neighbors.” We must prioritize upgrading the city’s telecommunications infrastructure.”
Poll results are weighted by gender, region, race, age, income, and education to match proportions of the population.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.44 percentage points. The margin of error is larger across subgroups.
