Jonathan Kramer on Wireless Tower Siting

In what seems like a frontal assult on MetroPCS and Cricket, T-Mobile has quietly rolled-out a customer loyalty program: If you’ve been with T-Mobile for at least 22 months, you can signup for a $50/month nationwide voice service.
This type of pricing would be an interesting run on MetroPCS and Cricket, which offer all-you-can-eat fixed pricing, [...]

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Wireless Industry attorney Scott Olson of Cooper Erving & Savage LLP (Albany, NY) has written a very interesting blog essay on his “Cell Tower Siting Blog” offering hiring suggestions to governments looking to employ wireless advisers.  The title of his essay is, “Choosing a Wireless Consultant.”
While it may seen like Scott (on the wireless industry [...]

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As reported by staff writer Seth Rosenfeld in the San Francisco Chronicle (Aug 30, 2008, Page C-1), the California Public Utiltiies Commission is investigating whether T-Mobile has been constructing cell sites in Northern California without following local building laws.
The article quotes Susan Carothers, a CPUC spokesperson who said, “CPUC staff is looking into allegations concerning [...]

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Motel 6 will may be keeping the lights on for you, but Internet connectivity from their hotels will cost you extra.
AT&T has entered into a contract with Motel 6 to provide managed Internet services. It’s likely what the PR-speak (below) actually means is that AT&T will provide connectivity to the hotels so [...]

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Cable and Wireless must get the prize for its odd attempt to position a fairly ugly monopalm as being eco-friendly.
This poorly designed monopalm is located on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.
Poorly designed? Well, yes. Let take a close look at C&W’s monopine in the photo:
1. The monopalm has its antennas showing;
2. The [...]

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AT&T will apparently displace T-Mobile as Starbuck’s WiFi provider of choice.
It’s interesting to note that AT&T will give its broadband and U-Verse customers free access at any WiFi-equipped Starbucks, but that’s apparently not true for AT&T’s wireless customers.
AT&T will also provide a flat rate access to its business class customer as part of the deal, [...]

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Coming as no surprise to anyone who understands the true voodoo economics of municipal WiFi, Earthlink is shuttering its existing municipal WiFi networks.
From today’s RCR News:
EarthLink Inc. has officially shut down all operations related to its municipal Wi-Fi projects that hit the skids last summer. Making good on earlier promises, the company is looking for [...]

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The opening lines of the Tampa Bay Online (The Tampa Tribune) story from February 7, 2008 tell it all:
NEW PORT RICHEY – It began as a discussion between city council members on limiting telecommunications towers within the city, but it ended up doing the exact opposite.
The city council Tuesday night approved the first reading of [...]

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Here’s a road map to where I’ll be taking this blog over the next few weeks to several months…

I intend to start discussions regarding wireless basics for wireless planners. This series will dig into the elements of wireless sites from the aesthetic and transmission standpoints;
I’ll be delving into the thorny subject of RF safety, [...]

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T-Mobile is proposing a stylish new stand-alone Bell Tower to hide a new cell site at the Duncan Road Baptist Church. 430 N.E. Duncan Rd, in Blue Springs, Florida.
The Examiner newpaper in Eastern Jackson County has a story on the proposed site, and an interesting elevation illustration (artist’s rendering) of the proposed bell tower. [...]

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