Issues Facing Neutral Host DAS
Speaker: John CosteCompany: American Tower Corporation
2
Hub
Fiber
Nodes
3
4
5
Estimated 20,000+ antenna installations today in ROW ElectricCo’s, DAS nodes, micro-cells, remote radio head, etc.
Communities and carriers increasingly favor DAS based on minimized impacts
National Broadband Plan supports ROW deployments
However…recent trends may create impediments: Higher antenna centerlines to reduce node counts
New poles in residential neighborhoods
Panel antennas – greater visual impacts
Single carrier capacity (per node); and
Longer backup power – larger BBU box – visual & ROW impacts.
6
7
8
“If the industry doesn’t show restraint, it will be
restrained!”
9
Increasing regulation
Zoning / Moratoriums / Litigation
Cost increases, protracted timeframes
Restrainers to broad-based rollouts less viable solution
What's driving the increase in regulation & moratoriums?Customer demand/industry requirement for residential area coverage
Industry insensitivity to impacts on residential neighborhoods
RF health/safety concerns of residents
Property value diminution
10
While this facility is perfectly legal and all required permits
were obtained, it infuriated the residents and resulted in a
moratorium on facilities in the right of way.
Design aesthetics must be considered in residential areas to avoid community backlash.