Cell tower leases are some of the most lucrative deals for property owners. Since many of the ideal cell tower locations happen to be found in private properties, mobile network operators (MNOs) typically enter into long-term lease deals and pay landowners recurring fees in exchange for the right to set up cell towers or cell sites. Some landowners market their properties proactively to attract the attention of MNOs and cell tower brokers, and thereby convert their parcels into income-generating properties.

Leasing out your land as a cell site can yield a huge profit. After all, mobile network operators (MNOs) may be in search of available land in your area where they can set up additional cell sites and thereby provide better wireless coverage for their customers. Due to the profit potential of such a venture, many landowners are interested in marketing their properties as potential cell sites.

When people talk about cell phone towers, they usually picture large structures akin to telephone poles, but without the wires. This is quite an apt description, although cell phone towers are much more complex than that. Given the sheer variety of cell phone towers, property owners who are interested in entering cell phone tower lease agreements would do well to learn about the spatial requirements for each type of tower.

As any property owner who’s allowed a cell phone tower company to lease their land for a cell site can tell you, doing so is a great way to generate long-term residual income. It is for this reason that many owners try their best to attract interest in their property whenever a site acquisition agent rolls into town.

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.

As the wireless industry continues to enjoy popularity, tower leases become attractive options for individuals who wish to make their land more profitable. Having a cell phone tower on their property is certainly a good way for landowners to make money with increased profits, as the area and the tower can be constantly developed for better service. However, not all properties are ideal for a cell site.

Property owners can check if they are located within a mile of an existing cell phone tower. The presence of even one tower reduces the chance for their property to be considered. Properties in urban and suburban areas or those located near a major highway or a populated town are more likely to be considered, because there will be more people who could possibly use the service.

Another factor that determines if the property is a perfect location for a cell site is if the pending location is an industrial property surrounded by residential properties. If so, then there’s a good chance that the property will be considered as a cell site candidate. However, the reverse (that is, a residential location in the midst of industrial properties) is less desirable, and it won’t make for a good candidate.

Properties on the highest point in the county are seldom considered, as well as those that are in areas with no network coverage at all. This is because some providers may not have plans to extend their services yet to such locations.

Are you having trouble finding your wireless carrier in your area? If you are, there's no need to worry as there are now many ways to locate the provider you're looking for.

Despite the fact that all major wireless carriers now offer nationwide coverage, not all telcos are created equal. Locating cell phone tower companies in your area can be difficult especially if they aren't located in major cities likes Boston, New York, Chicago and San Francisco. You're going to have a hard time finding a good one if your carrier isn't available in the area you currently reside in.

Cell tower databases like AntennaSearch and Mobiledia have made it easier for cell phone users to locate the carrier they're subscribed to. There is also the option of typing your city into Google maps, which gives you easier access to the location of your carrier. They often rent or sell towers to companies, so it will be useful to search for customer feedback on forums.

When searching for a cell phone tower, you should also veer away from dead spots. Websites like SignalMap.com can help give you an idea of the strength of the reception in a particular area.

If you're looking for cell phones towers in your area, just remember these tips and don't forget to always be cautious.