Caroline - Existing Tower Audit Services - #1055-35 2

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• Publié par: Urzoe
• Nombre de lectures: 6
• Langue: English

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CAROLINE COUNTY, VIRGINIA




COMMUNICATIONS TOWER MASTER
PLAN




Submitted by:

ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, INC.
A Member of The Atlantic Group of Companies

ATC PROJECT #: 1055-35

December 21, 2006

© 2006 Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc. Table of Contents



I. Executive Summary


II. Existing Infrastructure Locations and Coverage

Maps:

a. All Communications Towers
b. owers with Open Slots
c. owers with Coverage
d. All Communications Towers Total Coverage


III. Existing Inventory Spreadsheet


IV. Proposed Location of Future Towers

a. All Existing Towers + Planned Communication Tower Development Areas
b. All Existing towers + PCTDA = Total Coverage


V. Individual Existing Infrastructure Summaries



















Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc. Page 2 of 13
Ashland, Virginia
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

As a result of fieldwork done in Caroline County in November of 2006 conducting an
existing radio communications infrastructure inventory, Atlantic Technology Consultants,
Inc. found what is perceived to be the entire existing infrastructure for radio
communications within Caroline County. This inventory includes over 45 structures
which consist of communication towers and water tanks to be utilized. The majority of
the communication sites in the county are located adjacent to the major highway
corridors or on ridgelines. The result of this careful inventory is that 111 antenna “Slots”
or vacancies on the existing towers and water tanks where discovered. Table 1 lists
existing antenna support structures in the County. Within this report, structures were
identified by Site #, Structure Owner, Site Name, Address/Location, Type of Structure,
FCC Antenna Support Registration #, Latitude/Longitude Coordinates (NAD 83),
Structures Above Ground Level (AGL), Ground Elevation (GE), the number of potential
co-location Slots, along with the number of shelters, generators, and propane tanks
present at each site.

The existing infrastructure throughout the County is extensive, but rather widespread
and can meet much of the future needs through a process termed co-location which is
the placement of an antenna on an existing structure. Through utilization of existing
structures, the number of new towers that would be needed is greatly reduced. In areas
where inadequate coverage or capacity exists, applications for new towers would be
considered on a case-by-case basis. The consultant has identified 5 areas of the
county that it would recommend a Permitted Commercial tower Development Area or
PCTDA. This simply put has been determined that a communications tower should be
planned for future development. As your community grows, thus communications
infrastructure will be required.

The exact number of additional installations for each provider licensed to operate in the
county is unknown. It is anticipated, however, that as the number of customers of each
provider increases and use of their radio frequency increases within a particular
geographic service area, there may be a need to place antennas closer together,
through the development of new sites, to maximize system capacity. However, any new
developments in these areas would have to conform to county regulations governing
wireless telecommunications facilities.

It is recommended that the County maintain a current detailed inventory of all wireless
communication facilities in the County. This information is useful in evaluating
applications for wireless communication facilities. Also, there are serious discussions
taking place at the state and local level regarding the taxation of wireless
communication facilities. A complete inventory of all entities operating wireless tions facilities is an essential element in being able to collect associated
taxes.

Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc. Page 3 of 13
Ashland, Virginia Radio waves do not recognize or cease to propagate at arbitrary boundaries such as
county lines. Strategic positioning of antennas can be used to a limited degree to direct
the propagation of radio waves. As such, structures in adjacent counties can also be
used to provide service in Caroline County as long as the service provider is licensed to
transmit in both counties. It is recommended that co-location on existing structures be
utilized to the maximum extent possible, before consideration is given to the
development of new wireless telecommunications facilities. This requirement is often
incorrectly interpreted to mean that tall towers are desirable because they can
accommodate more antennas than shorter structures. This requirement simply
recognizes a vast inventory of existing structures, which are capable of supporting
antenna installations, and is not a mandate for the construction of taller towers so as to
create more co-location opportunities.







George N. Condyles, IV

_______________________________
George N. Condyles, IV CPM
President and COO
Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc.










Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc. Page 4 of 13
Ashland, Virginia II. Existing Infrastructure and Coverage


The existing tower inventory reveals over 45 towers and Water Tanks within the county
that communications antennas can be located on. These towers are owned by private
developers and wireless carriers approved by the Federal Communications
Commission. Each tower is designed for a specific structural loading. The structural
loading is a three dimensional loading that takes into consideration winds, Ice and snow
loading. Many times individuals equate height to the ability to carry additional antenna
loading. There is little correlation for this. The newer towers are designed for the
developer to typically carry 4 to 6 wireless carriers. Structural “Platforms” that are
typically triangular in shape are bolted to the vertical steel.

These platforms are known as “Slots” on the tower.

The Development community desires to maximize the investment potential for the
project. To do this, the developer specifies the structural loading for 4 to 6 slots to the
tower manufacturer. The Developer markets his tower to the wireless carriers for
position on the tower. Slot#1 at the top of the tower is more valuable than Slot#6 on the
bottom.

The field work has reveled over 111 “slots” located on the 45 towers and water tanks
located in the county. This is an adequate amount to cover a large section of the county.

The following Maps will indicate where the towers are, what coverage by individual
tower and the total coverage for the county.




Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc. Page 5 of 13
Ashland, Virginia

Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc. Page 6 of 13
Ashland, Virginia


Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc. Page 7 of 13
Ashland, Virginia



Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc. Page 8 of 13
Ashland, Virginia


III. Existing Inventory


The existing towers and water tanks that are located within and slightly outside of the
county boundaries are inventoried for the following points of data.

1. Site Name
2. Address location
3. Type of Tower
4. FCC#
5. Latitude
6. Longitude
7. Tower Height or AGL (Above Ground Level)
8. Ground Elevation
9. Slots designed for tower
10. Slots available
11. Lowest slot available
12. Individual carriers or FCC License holders.



























Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc. Page 9 of 13
Ashland, Virginia


IV. Proposed Locations for Future Towers


Due to the lack of coverage in a larger geographical area of the central/eastern part of
the county, it is necessary to plan for the wireless expansion for future growth and
demand.

The county will require at some point in the future the provisioning for towers.

The locations that are following are not exact locations with specific properties for
construction, but are locations of communities that could provide a potential site.

These locations are known as: Permitted Commercial Tower Development Areas or
PCTDA.


This study has determined that the existing infrastructure in the west