In Ascension Parish the Thought is for More Small Cells

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Ascension Parish (LA), situated between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, is poised to receive AT&T small cells in 2021. On Thursday, the Parish Council adopted a new ordinance that had been in the works for two years, setting up a permitting process for the equipment, reported The Advocate. The Council expects the small cells to improve AT&T 4G LTE service throughout the parish. Little public interest or feedback regarding the small cells exists to date, reported The Advocate. 

According to David Aubrey, AT&T regional vice president, “The difficulty is we’re at the end of the year now….So some things are probably going to be moving to 2021, but we are ready with a few [towers].” Aubrey couldn’t give an estimate regarding the number of small cells that will be installed. 

The new ordinance governs the placement of small cells in parish rights-of-way and public land. Fees include $1,000 for new poles and at least $500 for installing equipment on existing poles. Providers would also have to pay $250 annual fees for continued use of parish rights-of-way, reported The Advocate.

The rules give the parish and homeowners associations some power over placement and aesthetics. Advance notice is also required when towers are planned within 300 feet of individual properties or neighborhoods. 

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