Rural Water - Quarter 3, 2008 - (Page 20)

Technical Focus Weaving the Wireless Web Leasing Property for Cell Phone Equipment BY KATHARINE J. JACKSON, J.D., MORRISON, FROST, OLSEN & IRVINE, LLP, MANHATTAN, KAN. SOME SAY “PLUGGING in” is passé. We live in a wireless world, with cell phones and laptops that enable us to stay connected at the grocery store, the airport, the doctor’s office and nearly everywhere else. A wireless Web transmits the frequency that rings your cell phone—and embarrasses you—during a moment of prayerful silence at church. The wireless frequency is invisible—it is broadcast through the air between infrastructure such as freestanding cell towers and antennae topping tall structures. ©rgbspace The broadcast range of cell towers and rooftop antennae varies from a few city blocks to a few miles, depending on the topography of the area. Additionally, wireless equipment has a maximum capacity — for example, a freestanding tower can only facilitate a certain number of users at any given time. The burden on towers and antennae has increased dramatically in the past few years — not only do more people use cell phones, more people use the multitasking “smart phones” that receive a streaming signal for text messaging, e-mail and Internet access. To prevent the common frustrations of cell phone use — the dropped calls, gaps in coverage and overburdened systems — cell providers need a large, tight-knit infrastructure web. Thus, there is a great demand for land or structures upon which wireless equipment can be installed. 20 • Third Quarter 2008 Local governments and rural water districts usually own land or structures — particularly tall water storage tanks — that are desirable for the placement of wireless equipment. You may be approached by a cell service provider (such as T-Mobile) or a tower builder (a developer who owns the equipment and leases it to cell service providers) who wants to build a cell tower on your land or install antennae on your building or water tower. The relationship is typically proposed as a “landlord-tenant” relationship — the provider or tower builder is the “tenant” who installs, owns and maintains the wireless equipment, while you are the “landlord” who leases land or rooftop space for this use. Before signing a lease, you should consider whether the relationship is appropriate and desirable for your entity.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Rural Water - Quarter 3, 2008

Rural Water - Quarter 3, 2008 Contents From the President From Hypo to Gas - A Forward Leap If You Lose All Your Data Today... Would You Still Be in Business Tomorrow? Weaving the Wireless Web Rural Water and the Farm Bill Ensuring Your Water System's Security Guarding Against Becoming a Victim of Fraud 10 Ways to Improve Utility Efficiency New Technology Making a Difference By Being Involved Regulatory Update Source Water Protection Corner Throwing My Loop Cub Scouts Visit Alliance of Indiana Rural Water's Spring Conference Advertisers.com Index to Advertisers From the CEO

Rural Water - Quarter 3, 2008

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