Carroll commissioner ‘won’t rest’ until entire county has internet; board approves broadband feasibility study

cc carroll county 61st board of commissioners seated 20181204

Carroll County took a step toward spreading internet access to rural areas as the Board of County Commissioners approved a broadband feasibility study Thursday. Carroll, along with six other Maryland counties, sought a contractor to conduct a study that would help counties assess their broadband needs and obtain grant funding for broadband projects, according to Mark Ripper, director of technology services. He said the counties, with Montgomery leading the charge, chose to band together rather than do the work in piecemeal fashion….

Proposal to allow 5G antennas deferred until June

small cell antenna

Montgomery County Council Member Hans Riemer will defer a zoning amendment to allow 5G antennas in residential areas — the latest delay in an ongoing effort to accommodate what’s been billed as the “next generation” in cellular technology.

Riemer, the committee chair, argued that Montgomery County has fallen behind nearby jurisdictions by failing to adapt more permissive zoning codes toward 5G antennas. The technology employs streamlined radio equipment — often placed on existing utility poles — to boost cellular connectivity….