Collocation rule comes amid rapid change

The Federal Communications Commission’s rule and order in October establishing regulations around the collocation of wireless communications equipment greatly restrict local authority over zoning and land use.

The rule and order come at a time of rapid change and expansion within industry networks.

Traditional cell towers – large structures on which antennas and electronic communications equipment are placed – are being widely supplemented by small cells and “distributed antenna systems,” known as DAS. Both small cells and DAS expand network capacity and coverage.

Small cells include compact base stations that may be placed in both indoor and outdoor locations. They have been deployed in rural locations that lack cellular network coverage, and in dense urban areas with heavy data usage to boost existing network capacity, creating a “hot spot.” Small cells can be placed on top of or on the sides of buildings, on flagpoles, or even on street signs.

DAS are networks of small antennas installed throughout a large building, joined to a central controller connected to a wireless network base station. Densely populated indoor spaces, such as shopping centers, medical centers, and high-rise buildings, are common DAS sites.

The FCC has noted that over the past two years, AT&T alone will have deployed more than 40,000 new small cells and 1,000 new DAS nationally.

The FCC’s latest regulations also apply to the modification of traditional cell towers and small cells.

Under the new regulations, set to take effect early next year, industry applicants will be able to submit a wireless collocation application to a municipality for the placement of additional wireless equipment on a wireless tower or other structure already supporting wireless equipment.

Once the application is filed, the municipality has 60 days to issue a decision based on building code standards as well as existing conditions or requirements on the previously approved permits for that structure, such as camouflaging or blending the equipment or antennae. If the application meets building codes and previously existing requirements, the municipality must permit the collocation.