Protecting Property owners in the 5G and 6G Era

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For years, carriers have insisted that 5G upgrades are “minor modifications” with no real safety implications. Yet their own actions tell a very different story. When the nation’s largest phone company spends billions of dollars on rooftop retrofits and places safety training videos at every 5G site, it is clear there is a real safety problem that cannot be brushed aside.

AT&T publicly launched a seven minute RF safety training video for rooftop workers and visitors. This program goes far beyond what federal regulations require. Placards with QR codes are now installed at 5G sites across the country, directing anyone who might be exposed to this training. If there were no risk of unsafe RF exposure, why would AT&T build an entire national program to cover themselves? The reality is that the risks are significant, and the company wants legal protection when lawsuits inevitably come.

This should raise an important question for property owners and municipalities. If the carriers themselves acknowledge safety concerns in their internal practices while downplaying them in public, then independent oversight becomes absolutely necessary. Relying on carrier self reporting means accepting their narrative while they quietly shift liability onto others. The result is that landlords, tenants, and cities are left to carry the risks.

The lesson is simple. If the companies building these networks are already spending millions on safety programs, then communities have every right to demand the same level of protection. Independent RF compliance reviews, clear signage, and responsible oversight are not optional extras. They are essential to protect people and to hold carriers accountable for the dangers they already know exist.

At SCM, we believe that safety and value are inseparable. A rooftop or ground site that is not compliant puts both people and property at risk. The safety concerns shown in the videos demonstrate what can happen when oversight is missing and responsibility is unclear. Workers should never have to guess what is safe, and property owners should never be left exposed to risks they did not approve.

For landlords, safety oversight is part of responsible ownership. Protecting tenants, workers, and visitors requires more than just signage, it requires independent RF testing, documented FCC compliance, and secure access protocols. Section 6409 makes it easy for carriers to push upgrades as “minor modifications,” but many of these qualify as major changes that impact both safety and revenue. Without enforcement, landlords risk hidden liability and lost income.

With 5G still expanding and 6G on the horizon, every upgrade should be treated as an opportunity to reinforce compliance and strengthen your legal position. Proper classification, independent audits, and enforceable lease terms not only safeguard the people on your property, they also protect long-term lease value and portfolio stability.

Reporting a concern is the first step. By identifying compliance issues early, landlords can reduce liability, preserve authority, and prevent small problems from escalating into costly disputes. We provide the expertise and support to turn concerns into clear solutions that protect property rights, public safety, and long-term wireless revenue.

Across the country, thousands of properties host wireless equipment that has been added or maintained without proper attention to safety protocols. What may appear to be a minor oversight, a loose barrier, an unsecured work zone, or unclear access pathways, can quickly escalate into a serious hazard for anyone required to step onto the rooftop. These risks don’t just affect the technicians servicing the equipment; they also create liability for landlords and property managers who are ultimately responsible for maintaining a safe environment.

The expansion of 5G infrastructure has only increased the complexity of rooftop sites. With more antennas, higher power output, and denser configurations, carriers are moving quickly to secure coverage while often neglecting the details that matter most to safety. For property owners, this means a growing need for independent FCC compliance evaluations, RF exposure testing, and on-site audits that go beyond what carriers disclose. Without these measures, landlords are left exposed to both legal risk and preventable accidents.

At SCM Advisors, we see these issues firsthand every day. 

These images are more than snapshots, they are reminders of how often safety standards are ignored in pursuit of faster deployment. We hope to change that by giving landlords the tools and expertise to demand compliance, protect their workers and tenants, and ensure that every rooftop under their care meets federal safety requirements. With the right oversight, property owners can turn vulnerable sites into compliant, revenue-secure assets that protect both people and property.