FAQ | Tower Ventures | Cell Site | Communications Facility

What is the difference between “coverage” and “capacity” of a cell site?

Coverage is providing the radio signal connection between the mobile phone and the wireless facility. Capacity is providing enough bandwidth for the simultaneous demand for mobile service in a given area. Though your phone may work in your current area, there may not be enough capacity to handle the data usage demands of today’s smart phones.

Why should I care about improved coverage in my neighborhood?

Better coverage in your neighborhood will enable you stay connected more easily to the people that matter most — your family, your friends, and even emergency services. Wireless coverage in America’s neighborhoods makes it possible to call for emergency help, save lives, and help fight crime — no matter where you are. Every day in this country there are more than 250,000 emergency 911 calls made from wireless phones. Currently nearly 40% of all Americans do not own a home phone line and use a cellular phone as their primary phone.

My carrier and phone work fine. Why do you need to build a new communications facility?

There are many different cellular carriers on the market today. Just because one carrier has coverage and enough capacity in your area does not mean that every other carrier meets the coverage and capacity demands of their customers.

How do we know that another tower will not be built in the next year?

Tower Ventures goal is to always to minimize the impact of communication facilities. Tower Ventures gladly allows all carriers to locate on their communication facilities. Many municipalities regulate the use of communication facilities within their municipal limits. For example, the City of Memphis does not allow multiple communication facilities within .25 miles of radius of an existing facility, unless the current facility cannot support the needs of a future carrier.

Why is a communications facility being built in my area?

Carriers use many different scientific criteria in which they base a new site location. Tower Ventures and its carriers use engineering analysis of current radio frequency coverage and future needs. Carriers factor the amount of customer complaints and service request in an area. A new facility is required to meet the demands of carrier customers.

Is there a fall risk?

Our facilities are engineered and designed to meet the standards of local, state, and federal laws. All of our communication facilities are designed to withstand high winds. In the unlikely event of failure this communications facility is designed to crumple or fall onto itself, not to fall over. Communication facilities have proven to be a valuable during natural disasters, being one of the only forms of during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

What are the benefits to having a communications facility in my area?

Communication facilities proved E911 public safety services such as fire and police service. As of December 2011 there were nearly 400,000 E 911 daily calls from cellular phones. E911 is different than 911 because it can help determine your location within a 30 meter radius. A communications facility also proves better call coverage, faster internet data, improved call quality, and capacity for home and wireless internet.