One of the fastest growing areas of wireless network development is fiber-optic Distributed Antenna Systems, or DAS. As an alternative to traditional cell towers and/or rooftop antennas, wireless carriers are utilizing DAS, comprised of small, unobtrusive repeaters, to solve cell phone coverage and capacity issues. These repeaters are most often erected on municipal or utility-owned light or wooden poles located in public rights-of-way.
Your local community and its local officials may be approached by representatives of the wireless carriers or other companies seeking permission to co-locate these structures in public rights-of-way and on municipal or utility light poles.
There are many aspects to the negotiation of a DAS system that the average municipality is ill-equipped to deal with. DAS agreements typically bestow long terms rights on the wireless company with little ability for the municipality to terminate at will. A poorly negotiated agreement can impact your municipality in many ways, which you might not even think about.
Steel in the Air can provide you one-stop consulting on DAS agreements and infrastructure deployment. Please contact us for further information.
