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DAS network antennas are generally installed at lower elevations than traditional antennas found on cell towers. DAS infrastructure is also generally lower power and intended to serve a smaller geographic area. They are popular in dense urban areas where traditional cell towers are unfeasible to develop. There are numerous DAS technologies and they are generally specific to the telecommunication provider. In general, however, the lower the antenna height the higher the density of poles required to cover a given area.
Kimley-Horn held a meeting with a representative from AT & T Wireless who had previously addressed the UUTF regarding the deployment of Smart Poles throughout the Town. AT & T Wireless indicated that they do not have any current plans to pursue a DAS network within the Town, but that they could foresee themselves
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Smart Pole on the campus of Ole Miss University |
desiring to do so at some point in the future. They stated they are most interested in covering the commercial areas and main thoroughfares such as Royal Palm Way and Royal Poinciana Way. They are currently not interested in deploying DAS networks in less densely populated areas primarily for economic reasons.
Kimley-Horn reviewed the Town’ s Code of Ordinances related to Telecommunication Towers and Antennas. We noted that antennas are a permitted use on all Townowned property and in all the Town’ s commercial, R-D( 1), R-D( 2) and PUD-A zoning districts, provided approval is granted by the architectural commission or landmark commission, whichever is pertinent. This excludes many of the residential zoning districts in Town where Smart Pole technology could be deployed. Kimley-Horn’ s recommendation is that the Town review the zoning code and consider modifications that would be specific to regulations for a Smart Pole DAS / WiFi
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network deployment throughout the Town. This could include specific regulations for permitted locations, aesthetics, height restrictions, etc. This would then provide better guidance to the cellular industry regarding how they could successfully deploy such a network within the Town. It may also support and expand opportunities for public-private partnerships between the Town and providers that have interest in providing not only wired broadband services but also wireless broadband services in the Town.
Kimley-Horn further recommends that any costs related to deployment of a Smart Pole DAS network be borne completely by the cellular industry and / or broadband providers. It is also recommended that the Town only install Smart Poles in conjunction with their street lighting program if a wireless industry partner identifies the exact location of where the poles should be installed along with the capital to perform such installation. The Town should not undertake Smart Pole installation without a wireless industry partner because the individual wireless carrier desired locations, equipment, and height requirements are highly variable and specific and cannot be reasonably predicted.
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