Cell towers in Winnipeg

To help residents understand how cell towers (also known as telecommunications towers or antennas) are located and reviewed, the City of Winnipeg developed the Winnipeg Antenna System Policy to seek input on antenna and tower locations. The policy aligns with the federal licensing process, regulated by Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

Council adopted the policy on May 27, 2015 to ensure there is a reliable communications network in Winnipeg that protects the safety of residents while minimizing visual impacts on the community. It also sets out the process for public engagement and guidelines for the location and design of towers and antennas.

Review of antenna/tower proposals

A proposal review endorses the location of communication antennas or towers 15 metres or higher regardless of who operates the structure. The review also applies to antennas or towers less than 15 metres high operated by major telecommunications companies, broadcasting companies, or towers leased to others.

Small cell technology

In Winnipeg, mobile devices get service from large cell phone towers and antennas so residents can access internet, phone and texting services.

Small cells complement larger tower installations to improve coverage, add capacity, and support new services. About the size of a home Wi-Fi router, they are small enough to be installed atop poles, lampposts, on the sides of buildings, or on traffic signals. Their weaker signal only covers a small geographic area, so many small cells are necessary to equal the coverage of a large tower.

Small cells are required for 5G service. The City is not responsible for the regulation of cell towers and antennas. Canada’s Radiofrequency Exposure Guidelines (known as Safety Code 6) are developed by Health Canada and regulated by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). Any company operating 5G or small cell technologies in Winnipeg is required to adhere to these guidelines.

The City's role

The Government of Canada regulates all forms of cellular technology. The City determines the location, design, and public engagement for the introduction of antenna systems in Winnipeg.

The following illustration shows common places where antenna systems, including small cells, may be installed, and explains the City's role in each installation:

Common places in Winnipeg where antenna systems, including small cells, may be installed, explaining the City's role in each installation

1. What are small cells?

Small cells are a type of wireless (cellular) service antenna system. They can be mounted on street poles or on the exterior or interior of buildings.

The cellular industry is shifting to small cells because large cell phone towers prevent service providers from delivering faster speeds and better data coverage.

2. Are small cells already in Winnipeg and in other Canadian cities?

Wireless service providers may already be carrying out localized trials of 5G small cells in Winnipeg where City of Winnipeg involvement is not required.

Some Canadian cities already have 5G small cell service available. It is expected to take many years for 5G to reach peak performance through use of higher radio frequencies and other innovations.

The location of antenna systems is important in providing the quality of service the public expects. Radio waves are limited in how far they can travel while still being reliable and demand for wireless services is increasing rapidly. To meet demand, more antennas are needed and they can sometimes be located closer to users.

The land use review and public engagement process for all antenna systems in Canada is outlined in ISED's Client Procedures Circular entitled Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems.

ISED requires antenna system companies to use existing towers. In some instances, because of technical or other constraints, sharing a structure is not always possible. For example, the size of the area to be covered, or the specific technical requirements for the proposed tower may make it impossible to share an existing tower.

Health Canada has safety guidelines for exposure to radio frequency fields in its Safety Code 6 publication. While the responsibility for developing Safety Code 6 rests with Health Canada, ISED has adopted this guideline.

ISED requires all radiocommunication and broadcasting operators to comply with Safety Code 6 at all times, including the consideration of combined effects of nearby installations. Further, operators must respect updates made to Safety Code 6.

In 2020, the City began a review of small cells. The purpose was to better understand the opportunities, issues, and value of small cell technology and the implementation of 5G service.

The City asked for feedback from the public and organizations about small cell technology. Read the summary of feedback.

The review enabled us to trial the City’s processes for small cells. Our review included:

  • internal reviews
  • public input
  • consulting with other governments and providers

We also determined if any amendments to policy, processes or procedures were needed. As a result, we learned that City jurisdiction over the location of small cells is limited.

Contact

For questions about small cell installations on City infrastructure, contact  311

For questions about a specific small cell installation and its adherence to Safety Code 6, please contact the appropriate wireless service provider or the ISED Manitoba District Office:
ic.spectrumwinnipeg-winnipegspectre.ic@canada.ca  or 1-800-665-3421

For questions about the guidelines represented in Safety Code 6, please contact Health Canada: 
info@hc-sc.gc.ca or 1-866-225-0709

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