BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Bloomfield Township is stepping up efforts to expand its wireless infrastructure after residents continued reporting dropped calls and weak mobile coverage in several neighborhoods. Township officials say improving cellular service has become both a public safety priority and a key component of the community's long-term infrastructure strategy.
The initiative focuses on expanding small-cell wireless infrastructure—compact antennas typically installed on existing utility poles that help strengthen mobile coverage in areas where traditional cell towers struggle to provide reliable service. Township leaders hope the additional infrastructure will eliminate persistent coverage gaps while minimizing the visual impact associated with larger towers.
Residents Say Poor Coverage Has Become a Safety Concern
For many residents, unreliable cell service is more than just an inconvenience.
Several homeowners have described frequent dropped calls, delayed text messages, and inconsistent reception throughout parts of the township. Some have voiced concerns that weak coverage could prevent them from quickly contacting 911 or reaching family members during emergencies. One resident told CBS Detroit that the inability to reliably make emergency calls has become a genuine safety concern, particularly with aging parents and the growing number of households that no longer maintain landline telephones.
Township Moves From Reactive to Proactive
Rather than waiting for carriers to expand service on their own, Bloomfield Township has adopted a more proactive approach.
Earlier this year, the township hosted its first Small Cell Open House, bringing together wireless carriers, infrastructure contractors, utility representatives, and residents to discuss coverage gaps and proposed expansion plans. The event resulted in increased collaboration between providers and local officials, with more than a dozen new Verizon permit applications reportedly submitted immediately afterward.
Township officials are now working to:
- Streamline permitting for new small-cell installations.
- Encourage providers to invest in underserved neighborhoods.
- Coordinate installations with utility companies.
- Preserve neighborhood aesthetics while expanding coverage.
- Monitor network improvements over time.
Expansion Plans Continue
According to township planning documents, Bloomfield Township currently has five T-Mobile and three Verizon operational small-cell sites.
Future proposals include approximately 24 additional AT&T facilities and 16 Verizon installations strategically positioned throughout areas identified as having poor or nonexistent service. Officials say the new infrastructure is intended to address documented dead zones while supporting increasing demand for mobile connectivity.
Since the beginning of the township's expanded initiative, officials say they have approved more than 30 applications for Verizon and AT&T to install or replace small-cell poles—significantly more than the number approved during 2025. However, no construction has yet been confirmed, and wireless providers remain responsible for determining installation schedules.
Balancing Connectivity and Community Character
While stronger wireless coverage is widely supported, township leaders acknowledge that residents also care about preserving the appearance of their neighborhoods.
Officials have emphasized that new small-cell equipment will generally be attached to existing utility poles whenever possible and that aesthetic considerations remain part of the approval process. The township says it will continue hosting public engagement events as additional projects move forward.
Looking Ahead
Reliable wireless service has become an increasingly important part of everyday life—from emergency communications to remote work, navigation, and connected vehicles.
As Bloomfield Township continues expanding its small-cell network, officials hope the investment will improve public safety while providing residents with more dependable mobile coverage across one of Oakland County's largest communities. Whether those improvements arrive before the end of the year will ultimately depend on how quickly wireless providers begin construction on the newly approved sites.







































































































































































































































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