Antenna & Tower Siting  RSS Feed

CTIA Position:
In order for carriers to bring their customers the technology they require for their communication needs, an efficient and timely process of siting and zoning wireless infrastructure must be a priority for local, state, and federal governments.

CTIA-The Wireless Association® and the wireless industry are dedicated to providing the best possible coverage to consumers. 

Wireless carriers are working tirelessly to build and maintain their network infrastructure in order to meet the growing demand for advanced wireless technology and provide reliable service. 

Key Points:

  • Expanding Wireless Infrastructure will Help Bridge the Digital Divide. The ability to quickly and efficiently site antennas and towers directly impacts the ability of wireless carriers to bring high quality and most advanced wireless services to rural America. New cell sites can expand the available coverage area for consumers and increase a network’s ability to provide the kinds of services American consumers want and expect.
  • Complex Federal, State, and Local Siting Laws Delay Buildout and Meeting Consumer Demand for Wireless Services. The rules dictating where a wireless service provider can locate a tower can be complex and ambiguous, especially when trying to construct a tower on or near historic sites, scenic areas, and sites of cultural and religious significance to American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes. As wireless carriers navigate the landscape of federal, state, and local siting requirements, they will continue to advocate for expeditious review of cell site applications. It’s ironic that local jurisdictions often hamper wireless carriers’ ability to rollout new cell sites in the name of consumers, when in reality consumers benefit most when carriers can expand coverage and capacity.
  • As Demand for Wireless Broadband Services Continue to Increase, Network    Capacity Must also Increase. The demand for wireless services is on the  rise. Total wireless minutes of use for the industry has grown on average  by more than 30% annually since 1998, as subscribers substitute more  wireless for wireline usage. The emergence of popular wireless-broadband services, including mobile video, gaming, music and other applications, only further underscores the need for more network capacity. In order to satisfy this growing demand, wireless network operators will need to add more cell sites to increase capacity on their networks. This growth can best be handled when those providing the services and those charged with the planning and permitting processes within city and county governments understand each other’s needs and work together cooperatively.
  • Property Preservation is a Priority when Building New Cell Sites. Wireless carriers are sensitive to the concerns of jurisdictions and the industry strives to identify winning solutions for all parties involved in siting  negotiations. For example, at considerable costs, carriers often disguise cell towers as trees, flagpoles, boulders, and even water towers to preserve the environmental or historical integrity of landscapes or buildings near cell sites.