Amid a countywide public outcry, Fairfax officials have vowed to explore broadband options that do not include the installation of “small cell” antennas, which protesters say are a health and safety hazard.

On Wednesday, the Town Council unanimously appointed an ad-hoc committee to study the viability of a town-wide fiber-optic cable network as an alternative to 5G antennas. The move comes a week after the council voted 5-0 at a special meeting to adopt an urgency ordinance that prohibits small cell antennas in residential zones and requires 1,500 feet of separation between the devices.

“Most residents feel that they are being poorly served by the cable and DSL service that is available now,” said Mayor Peter Lacques. “And yes, many are concerned about the health and other risks associated with 5G. Fiber optic is far superior. It’s much faster, much more reliable. So if we can get fiber optic in as an alternative, we can avoid that potential impact on health and other risks.”

Large groups of people also have turned out recently at the county Board of Supervisors’ meetings and city council meetings in San Rafael, Mill Valley and San Anselmo to call for stricter regulation of the new technology. Opponents of 5G say there are adverse health and environmental effects that may be caused by exposure to microwave radiation emitted by the 4G and 5G devices.