Cingular to "Cherry Pick" AT&T Cell Tower Sites
In a series of new press releases from Cingular regarding cell tower development in the SouthEast, there is a common statment included. "Cingular is not only planning to build additional sites across (pick state) to further enhance the local networks, but also to "cherry pick" sites from the existing AT&T Wireless network that will quickly add coverage to areas of need."Does this mean that Cingular will choose the AT&T sites which complement its network best while continuing to operate a less efficient AT&T network? How does this impact AT&T's legacy TDMA customers?
Statements by AT&T reps to clients of mine that they were renegotiating with indicated that Cingular would be reviewing all sites (including Cingular's) and then prioritizing them based on lease rate and term remaining. It is assumed that they will prioritize those sites that provide the best coverage. But the statement issued by Cingular seems to indicate that there will not be any turnoff of Cingular sites- which does not jive with popular opinion or previous statements.
posted by Steel in the Air @ 1:16 PM
2 Comments:
We currently have 3 rooftop agreements located on two buildings in the Cincinnati area. These were infill locations in an affluent area where it is hard to get approval for these towers.
With the recent merger between AT&T and Cingular, we have been approached by Cingular, as well as, T-Mobile to recast our leases at a lower rate with the promises of longer terms, guaranteed rent and help us avoid being terminated. The rental rate has usually been at least half of what we are currently getting.
Has any one else renegotiated their lease? We have basically told them to take a hike and have kept our original terms, knowing the demand for this area and limited locations. Has anyone else taken this stance and been terminated?
Todd7766,
I own a (wireless) rooftop management company based out of the Dayton, OH area and have the following advice:
I believe that the New Cingular will eventually eliminate a small percentage of sites from either the ATTWS or Cungular buckets. In many cases this specifically mean the merging of two sets of equipment on one tower and or rooftop. New Cingular is looking at their sites, both the ATTWS and Cingular facilities, and are getting an idea of what they have. They are not having similar conversations with the major players in the industry as the tower companies would not be moved by the Blackdot tactics.
Ultimately I would suggest that you have someone who specializes in the wirless industry perform an area study to determine where the other ATTWS and Cuingualr sites are located. Decisions that come from knowledge are rarely wrong.
You are also more than likely already getting less than fair market value as it stands and cutting that in half almost does not make it worth your while.
If you want to talk about your situation further e-mail me at leasing@4rooftops.com
Either way good luck.
Patriot Communications of SW Ohio
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