FCC Legislation for Setting up Cell Phone Towers

Cell towers are structures set up by cellular network companies on various tall buildings or empty lots in an attempt to bolster their signal strength. The Federal Communications Commission or FCC regulates the establishment of these towers. If you are a prospective lessor, here are some of the legislations you should know about:

Backup Power Regulation

After Hurricane Katrina ravaged a huge part of the country and took many towers out of commission, the backup power regulation was implemented. Basically, it states that every cell tower should have an efficient means of generating power in case of electrical failure. This applies to large towers of major networks as much as to utility poles used by small phone companies.

Notifying the FAA

The FCC also mandates that before setting up a tower, you first have to submit a notice with the Federal Aviation Administration or FAA. This is important because the minimum altitude requirements that make towers efficient might obstruct the FAA’s safe flight zones within urban areas.

Maintenance Requirements

Moreover, the FCC also acknowledges the need for constant maintenance to enable these towers to function properly. This is especially true for towers that are deemed air navigation hazards, as the companies need to ensure that their tower is visible to incoming aircraft 100% of the time. This mandate includes repainting the tower with the appropriate aircraft detectable paint, if necessary.