T-Mobile US goes to the Supreme Court
You’ve heard of someone not taking no for an answer, but T-Mobile US took a city’s refusal to the highest court in the land. This week the Supreme Court began hearing the case of T-Mobile South v. Roswell. We first reported this was going to court back in May, but opening arguments began this week.
Here’s a quick recap of the case: T-Mobile US wanted to build an additional tower in Roswell, Ga. The city rejected their request, but only with a vague no. T-Mobile US believes this is a violation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996’s “Preservation of Local Zoning Authority.” In it, when a city rejects the construction or modification of a wireless structure or facility it “shall be in writing and supported by substantial evidence contained in the record.” The city never gave a specific reason with supported evidence, instead turning in meeting minutes that included a laundry list of reasons why they didn’t want a tower. The city considers this sufficient reason, but T-Mobile US begs to differ.
The best quote to come out so far from a justice?
“Everyone loves cellphones, apparently,” Justice Stephen Breyer said. “Nobody likes towers, apparently.”
The highest court in the land is now acutely aware of what the rest of us have been aware of for years.
All jokes aside, this case is a big deal for the tower industry as it could set long-term precedent for determining the specifics of tower deployment and how it interacts with local authorities. It feels weird to root for the big company in this Supreme Court case, but T-Mobile US’ argument makes the most sense. Having a single document with a city’s decision and explicit reasons for the decision, instead of reference to another document that may or may not be attached at the time would simplify the whole process. Click here for more quotes from the justices hearing the case. We’ll report on this story more as the case develops.
Verizon Wireless goes to federal court
It seems it’s the season for carriers to go to court. Verizon Wireless will soon get its day in a federal court. Verizon Wireless is suing Columbia County, Ga., claiming it was denied the right to build a 160-foot tower in the city. The problem? The city didn’t put the reasons for the denial in writing. Ouch. With the other case in the Supreme Court with another city in Georgia you would have thought this city would have been a little more careful about that, but alas no. More news on this case as it develops.
Christmas for fallen climbers’ kids
Would you like to do a good deed? How about a good deed for a great cause that brings Christmas to children who may not have it otherwise? The Hubble Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a goal to aid the families of fallen telecommunications technicians, has created an Amazon Wish List for the children of fallen climbers. If you would like to play Santa and help these kids out, please click here and buy something from the list. After all, what could feel better than putting a smile on the face of a child on Christmas morning – especially one that has had a rough time?
Tower news quickies
• Is small cell deployment cost prohibitive?
• Winter Survival: Fire Starting, Part II.
Regional/local tower news
- KVCC to offer training program for cell tower techs in Kalamazoo, Mich.
- Copper stolen from cell tower in Salina, Kan.
- Cell tower plan faces scrutiny in Gloucester, Mass.
- AT&T to consider new sites for cell tower in Dartmouth, Mass.
- Recycling, housing, cell tower on commission agenda in Hampshire County, Mass.
- Dover-Sherborn Regional School Committee holds off on cell tower, for now, in Massachusetts.
- Texas firm pitches 160-foot cell tower in Clovis, N.M.
- Cell tower rules change gets OK from planners in Columbus, Miss.
- Davenport, Iowa, approves another park-based cell tower.
- Public hearing for proposed cell tower today in Green Valley, Ariz.
- Residents unhappy with planned cell tower on church property in Hernando, Miss.
- Rockingham, N.C., to make $240,000 from cell tower lease
- Council confirms cell tower moratorium in Charleston, Ill.
- Hard sell? Phone companies list possible Fairfield, Conn., tower sites to meet data demand
This week’s edition of cell tower industry news is brought to you by Towercrews.net
