AuthorTanya Soni
Cell phones are just about everywhere nowadays. Most of the people have discarded the use
of home phones and made cell phones as their primary means of communication. Increased
use of cell phones means an increased need for reliable and broad-ranging networks. Cell
phone companies are scrambling to meet the demand of the people.
Due to the increased demand for networks, cell phone companies are contacting property
owners about placing cellular towers on their land – be it residential or commercial in
exchange for a monthly rent. There are some pros and cons relating to installation of cellular
tower on the property. Let’s give a look at both positives and negatives and also the steps in
its installation.
Pros:
Additional Income
The biggest benefit for property owners of installing cellular tower is additional income. The
rent paid by the cell service provider generates an immediate revenue stream. The rent may
range between Rs. 8,000 per month and Rs, 1 lakh per month. In metro cities, like Mumbai,
Delhi etc., it may be more than 1 lakh.
This amount can vary greatly and will depend on the height, size and area of the property and
individual value of the tower. Cellular companies prefer forest areas and public areas more
that are away from residential buildings, so these areas earn higher rentals.
Long-Term Profit
The tower lease can be extended over a long period of time to get the long-term financial
benefit. However, initially the mobile tower agreement can be from 12 months to a few years.
The properties with cellular tower installations observe 10 to 15 percent more hike in their
capital value as compared to other similar properties in the same area. This proves that
installed cellular tower may positively impact the property value. It could also lead to stronger
future lease negotiation.
Better Services
Installing cellular tower gives the property owner the benefit of not only monthly rentals but
also gives better network service with less downtime if the property owner uses the same
mobile network. Besides this, the company may give the owner of the property the facility of
free calls and less rate internet. It will be a huge advantage for local businesses or people
who work from home.
Cons:
Health Problems
According to researchers, the radiofrequency (RF) waves from cell phone towers can interfere
with your body’s electromagnetic fields, causing a variety of possible health problems
including headaches, memory loss, cardiovascular stress, birth defects, cancer etc. Though,
as per the American Cancer Society, there is very little evidence to support the idea of RF
waves causing cancer because the energy level of radiofrequency waves is relatively low,
especially when compared with the types of radiation that are known to increase cancer risks
such as gamma rays, x-rays and ultraviolet light but at the same time, prolonged exposures to
the mobile tower radiations can cause biological effects such as weak bones, genetic stress,
Autism, Alzheimer's disease. Also, if the towers exceed the limit of the radiations, then the
closer you are, the greater the danger and hence in such a case they can be very harmful for
pregnant women and children,
Aesthetic Issues
If you live in a scenic area, then any obstruction to the aesthetics of the area will highly
disappoint you and other residents of the area. Cellular towers are tall and hard to ignore and
many people consider them eyesores. Be it a college campus, rolling field or just residential
community, tall cell towers can reduce the beauty of the property. Even if the cell phone
companies have tried to conceal the towers or install small towers, but this concept doesn’t
blend well.
If you are planning to install a cellular tower on your property, consider both pros and cons.
The benefits could help you and your community, but its disadvantages should also be kept in
mind.
Steps to Get a Cellular Tower on your Property
You can’t convince cellular companies to build a tower on your property unless it fits into their
pre-existing network infrastructure plans. If you think that your land is ideal for the cellular
tower, then have a look at these steps:
1) Look for other cell towers: Firstly try to find other cell towers within the distance of 3
miles in case of rural areas, 1 mile in case of suburban areas and 1/2 mile in case of
urban areas. If you discover any then do not waste time thinking about installing the
one. If there are no towers within these distances, then move forward to the next step.
2) Research Local Zoning Codes: Before getting the tower installed, you have to
understand the rules for new cell tower locations in your community. Call your city
zoning office and ask about the requirements for a cell tower on your property. You will
be directed to the zoning map to show whether your land is zoned or not for building a
cell tower. In general, towers are not allowed in residential zones, they are typically
allowed to construct in commercial or industrial areas.
3) Determine the need for the tower: Check individual cellular companies’ coverage
maps by visiting their websites to determine whether there is a need for a cell tower at
your location.
4) Put a sign to indicate your interest: After confirming that your property is feasible for
the cellular tower, advertise your property. Put a sign on the land offering it up for
lease. Put the signboard on a place where the agents who are looking for a cell tower
location are most likely to find it. The sign should be easy to read and must have your
contact information.
5) Submit property on companies’ websites: You can also submit your property to the
tower companies via their websites for consideration. To submit your property for cell
site builds, you will need some information such as your address and contact
information, size of the property, latitude and longitude coordinates, zoning
classification, distance from major roadways etc. Once you have this information, you
are ready to submit your property for consideration as a new cell tower location.
6) Wait for the response: If you are lucky, then the tower company will respond to your
inquiries. If they need a site in your area in the future, then they will reach you at that
time and till then your request will remain in their database.
Before contacting the mobile companies and begin any negotiation, it is necessary to seek
out a professional consultant to review your plan.
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