Emergence of Wireless Pole
Attachments in Chelan County
Tri-Commission Presentation
March 28, 2017
Overview
• Wireless industry growth
• What are wireless attachments
• Implications for local governments in
Chelan County
• Strategic considerations/Next steps
• Questions
2
Wireless Industry Growth
• The “Internet of Things” (IoT) connects cars, homes,
wearables, and everyday objects to each other
• The IoT is growing exponentially – Number of
connected devices
worldwide:
– 2 Billion in 2006
– 15 Billion in 2015
– 50 - 200 Billion
projected by 2020
3
Accelerating Demand
• Expecting in excess of 50% continued year-overyear increase in wireless data consumption
– Requires increased data capacity
– Requires improved coverage and density
• Installing macro cells (large towers) is not always
feasible to address increased coverage needs
• Alternatives to large cellular towers:
– Small Cells
– DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems)
4
Small Cell
An umbrella term for operatorcontrolled, low-power radio access
nodes, small cells typically have
a range of approximately
600 feet
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Fiber Optic Cable in
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Antenna
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Equipment Box
Placed on existing utility
poles, streetlights, and
traffic signals
Distributed Antenna System (DAS)
A network of antenna nodes
connected to a common source
via a transport medium, which
provides wireless service within a
geographic area
6
Utility Pole Example
Streetlight Example
7
What is Happening at the
State/Local Level
• Local governments receiving requests from carriers and other companies
(like Verizon Wireless) for new tower sites, expansion of existing sites, or
pole attachments to support small cell facilities and DAS
• Localities (or their utilities acting on their behalf) are often unfamiliar with
their rights or duties under evolving federal and state laws
– In particular, when/how “shot clocks” apply and when/how applications can be
conditioned or denied
• Local zoning, telecom, franchising, and other rules and procedures –
where they exist at all – were typically written for macro tower siting and
need updating to address small cell and DAS facilities
• Local government moratoriums have become common in order for
localities to better understand these issues
8
We tend to know what we don’t want…
Bulky and noisy antennas and equipment on poles that disrupt
community aesthetics and system operability
9
Wireless Siting Goals & Values
1. Ensure cost recovery for use of the public right
of way (PROW)
2. Ensure cost recovery for attachments to facilities
3. Facilitate (and encourage) efficient deployment
of valuable broadband services for County
residents and businesses
4. Maintain local governments’ obligation to
provide reliable services, ensure public &
employee safety, and protect public
resources
10
Key Technical Issues to Address
• Small wireless facilities and networks (SWFNs)
pose new operational, safety, aesthetic, and
other issues
– Employee Safety
• Hazards and obstacles on the poles
• RF considerations
– Interference
• With Utility/City operations and wireless systems
• Particular concern as Wi-Fi access points are deployed
– Need for technical standards and code updates
• Input from carriers, employees
11
Strategic Considerations/Next Steps
• Ensure local governments are
working in sync
– Staff collaboration of both
pole owners and PROW
administrators
• Prioritize and protect core
interests and values
• Listen carefully to industry
and consider workable
tradeoffs
• Continue awareness of
developments across the
Country and act proactively
12
Questions?
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