As the demand for data continues to grow, Denver, Colorado’s digital delivery system has had to evolve. In earlier days, the solution would be to erect a cell tower, but as GovTech.com reports, small cells are now taking the place of giant towers.
“When Denver first started, there were like six [cellular] sites, and they were all on the tallest buildings in town,” cellular infrastructure consultant, John Rowe told GovTech.
“Now we’re going into the nooks and crannies of activity centers, running fiber to antennas that cover much smaller areas.” According to GovTech, smaller units are easier to install, and are aligned with 5G development that relies on a wealth of smaller transmitters.
At present, there are 163 cell poles in the Denver area. Plans are in place to install an additional 350 poles. AT&T, Crown Castle, Mobilitie and Zayo Group have all applied for permits in the city. Because state law allows construction in the public right-of-way, there is little communities can do to halt the progress of the poles.
Residents opposed to the influx of cell poles have latched on to one provision of the right-of-way rules – the 25-foot distance from existing trees. “We beautified the parkway there, the city right-of-way. We put in irrigation and sod and trees and everything,” said real estate broker Corey Wadley. “And to just drop this thing in there because it’s convenient to Verizon, it’s too much. We should have planted a little more trees.”
October 9, 2019
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