Churches and Cell Sites
Consumer demand for faster data traffic and seamless network coverage is still on the rise. According to industry experts, only one-third of the total number of cell sites that are sufficient to provide nationwide, competitive coverage have been built. In other words, the “wave” of cell site deployment has yet to crest. In each year since 2013, we have seen wireless carriers building cell sites and cell towers in areas where they were not needed in the past. This is happening for a few reasons:
- 4G LTE and 5G Wireless services require cell sites and towers that are closer together to provide continuous service.
- As the number of wireless subscribers grow and the minutes of use increase, more cell sites are needed to handle the capacity.
- One of the primary reasons cell phone users switch service (or churn to another carrier) is because of coverage issues. The carriers are constantly attempting to improve coverage in areas where they notice churn.
Wireless carriers find innovative way to utilize existing structures.
Churches can often be found in residential communities where cell tower regulations make it all but impossible for new towers to be built. Because of this, an increasing number of churches are being approached to place towers on their property or install antennas and a cell site inside the steeples. Church cell phone tower installations are definitely more expensive than other cell phone towers. This is because they are more valuable to the carrier to begin with. Wireless carriers will not typically approach a group to install a church cell phone tower site location until they have few or no other options. This makes it even more important for church officials to understand and appreciate their unique negotiating position.
Steel in the Air has assisted many organizations with church cell phone towers issues. We are familiar with the decision-making processes that many churches go through when making these types of decisions. We can help guide your organization through the difficult and often confusing maze of lease negotiations for church cell phone tower antennas. We will provide fair market value from other communities that have leased space in their steeples or on their property for a church cell phone tower site.
Best of all, while our experts help you evaluate the offer from the wireless carrier, making sure you receive the best rate you can, we’ll also work to craft a less one-sided lease contract that protects the church’s interest.
If a wireless carrier has not contacted you, there really is not much we can do. Please see our Tower on your Property web page for more details.
If you have been contacted or already have a cell site on your church property or in the steeple, please contact us, and we will be happy to help. If you like, we can also provide references from other churches that have benefited from our services. See our testimonial page.