Collierville residents may soon notice new structures popping up in their neighborhoods. According to reports from the Town of Collierville's Planning Division, there's been an uptick in permit requests for small cell towers—compact installations that promise to bolster wireless coverage in the area.

These aren't the typical towering cell masts that have become a fixture of the skyline. Instead, small cell towers are unobtrusive and, blend into the urban landscape by integrating with streetlights, utility poles, or buildings. Information sourced from a town announcement reveals that the growing demand for improved network connectivity, spurred by the rollout of 5G technology, is driving the surge in installations. These nodes are connected via fiber optic cable to a hub site, facilitating the requisite high-speed data transmission.

The shift towards small cell infrastructure is part of a broader transformation towards a more connected world. The town's planning officials have published images showing the difference between an ordinary light pole and a new one outfitted with a small cell tower. The latter sports a somewhat taller stature, a larger base size, and the noteworthy addition of wireless communication technology.

Historically, Collierville’s landscape has been shaped by traditional cellular towers. However, the appetite for faster, more reliable internet continues to grow among both consumers and businesses in the community, leading to infrastructure evolution. These new small cell towers are typically located within the public right-of-way, which are spaces along public streets that municipalities manage. These installations herald a subtle yet significant transformation as the town adapts to the needs of modern technology and its consumers. The process is a calculated move to enhance connectivity, without dramatically altering the aesthetic of the neighborhood streetscapes, the nodes appearing as minor yet essential additions to existing structures.