The Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) is the city agency proposing installation of ten 32-foot tall 5G Monopole Towers (collectively, “towers”) in Carnegie Hill. Illuminated, active video screen kiosks attached on some to generate ad revenue and interactive tablets to provide free phone, internet, charging, emergency services, and nationwide calling via speaker phones. 

Carnegie Hill comprises just under 15% of the Upper East Side; but 50% of the towers slated for installation on the Upper East Side are in Carnegie Hill

OTI states installation will be minimally invasive and bridge the digital divide. This is untrue and a waste of city resources. Carnegie Hill is oversaturated with broadband and Wi-Fi capacity at the residential and institutional levels, and in the area's public and passive green spaces.  There is no significant gap in broadband or Wi-Fi service in Carnegie Hill, where there is 100% mobile penetration.

THESE TOWERS ARE UNNEEDED AND UNWANTED IN CARNEGIE HILL.

DESIGNATED HISTORIC DISTRICT: OUT OF CONTEXT

• Historic districts carry a special status for environmental review, reflecting the multi-year, substantial community and independent investment in their creation
• The 32-foot towers rise above the tree line, Bishop's Crooks (26'), Cobra Head lampposts (30')
• The towers add clutter and additional street furniture to the sidewalks creating congestion
• 24 hours a day noise and light from kiosk tablets in a residential neighborhood is POLLUTION

FALSEHOODS OF THE OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (OTI)

• OTI asserts installation only in "5G Deserts”; Carnegie Hill is broadband saturated
• OTI asserts the installation plan is minimally invasive; the towers clutter the curb and create unsafe sidewalk congestion for older pedestrians and those who use mobility aids
   

PUBLIC REALM

• Fiber optic cables belong underground
• Pedestrians must have priority on the sidewalks
• Invasion of privacy: the hackability and opportunity for data collection, and geo-location of individuals leave our community vulnerable to cyber and physical attack