If Crown Castle has anything to do with it, Penn State alumni will experience improved cell service when they return to State College, PA, for a Nittany Lions event. The tower company submitted an application to the State College’s Borough Council of State College on November 9 to install a small cell network using a dozen antennas aimed at improving the local wireless data network.
Paul Gilbert, a representative for Crown Castle, told council members, “Crown is preparing to make a significant investment in the wireless network and wireless infrastructure in the borough of State College,” according to Centre Daily Times.
The antennas will be a part of a local small cell network designed to augment the larger wireless data network in the region. The end result will be more reliable service, with fewer service failures caused by high traffic volumes. Crown Castle would like to install the antennas on pre-existing structures, mostly streetlights, and would not have a major effect on the aesthetic appeal of local neighborhoods. The plan is not unlike similar small cell projects being undertaken in major cities such as San Francisco, Omaha and Baltimore.
The antennas could be used by all major wireless carriers, and Crown Castle plans to pay the borough $1,200 annually for the agreement, as well the $900 per structure. The council will vote on the final agreement at a later date.
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