Have you been approached about a cell tower lease for your property and worried it will be an eyesore or distraction? Read on to learn if cell towers can truly be hidden.
The use of camouflage has always been a complex issue for those who are looking to learn about how to install a cell phone tower without the knowledge of a passer-by. Even more so as these towers have become a major source of profit today in the race for 5G. It is a booming business in recent years as the majority of local governments, communities, and land owners seek to disguise their cell towers.
The History of Camouflage
Cell tower disguises have been a major part of the growth of these much-needed parts of any network. Certainly, the better the towers are “hidden” the more likely people are to allow cell towers on their property. While the rent for a cell tower lease received can be significant, most people also want to protect the value of their property and limit changes to the skylines around them.
The decision to create hidden cell towers comes from a long history of disguising buildings across the world with one of the first examples coming from Canadian Electric. The Canadian utility company was looking for ways to disguise the substations which were needed in every area to push power through the country. Instead of building what was considered unattractive pieces of technology, the company disguised them as houses in the majority of areas of the nation.
Similar tactics were taken in the 1980s when the development of cell towers across the U.S. needed these structures to be created throughout the nation. The initial decision made by technicians developing the early networks was to work with local churches which were willing to install towers at the top of steeples. Today’s telecommunication race for 5G requires an incredible increase in the number of cell towers to support it.
Fake Tree Towers
The first steps to bringing artificial trees to the hidden cell towers sector were taken by Larson Technologies, a company best-known for developing artificial habitats for various Walt Disney theme parks. Larson worked to a specific brief in 1992 that led to them developing an artificial tree which would form the basis of the designs of recent years.
The problem many local governments have found is the issue of not wanting their skyline covered with the unattractive cell towers which are seen in many areas. National legislation does not allow any local government to stand in the way of the development of cellular networks in the U.S. but many have looked to cell tower disguises in a bid to hide the unsightly towers.
Hidden cell towers are not quite as disguised as many would have hoped as they have to be constructed to specific specifications. One of the problems facing those positioning cell tower disguises in a group of trees must build them higher than the tree line to aid the passage of a signal. One of the most effective areas for a cell tower disguised as a plant or tree is that of the saguaros which are usually used in desert locations where tree coverage is minimal. These plants can be built to regular height and blend in with the rest of the trees in an area.
The bottom line is that while cell towers can essentially be “hidden” they are not completely invisible to those looking for them. For anyone considering a cell tower lease agreement, this needs to be factored into the negotiation. If you’re curious about adding a cell tower to your property and want to know current rent rates or what the true value of your land could be, contact us today for a free consultation.
