Across the U.S., 5G Runs Into Local Resistance

City officials also complain they don’t have enough staff to handle the applications. But state and federal authorities are in the carriers’ corner.

Drew FitzGerald

Updated Sept. 13, 2018 3:57 p.m. ET

Residents of Denver’s Riviera apartments were surprised earlier this year when a roughly 30-foot-tall green pole appeared a few feet in front of their building entrance. The pole, installed by Verizon Communications Inc. and laden with cellular antennas, was designed to improve cellphone service in the area, but the residents complained about the placement.

Months later, it was gone. But that was just a small taste of what’s to come across the country: Millions of Americans will soon encounter similar poles or notice antennas...