WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES ISSUES PAPER: ABSTRACT
This document is an abstract for the document "Wireless Communications Facilities Issues Paper: A Summary" by Evans Associates which summarizes "Wireless Communications Facilities Issues Paper," by the San Diego Association of Governments in December, 1995. The Evans Associates summary is intended to simplify and shorten the original document so that it may be used by municipal governments in learning about the issues surrounding wireless communications.
I. GUIDELINES FOR PERMITTING PROCESS
With the explosive growth of the telecommunications industry, local governments must resolve a growing number of disputes over the installation of local wireless communications facilities. As a result, municipalities must familiarize themselves with the industry in general.
Major Local Issues
Local governments face two major issues concerning the growth of wireless communication facilities: (1) visual impacts and (2) health and safety issues.First, by their very nature, wireless
telecommunications require numerous antennas mounted at specific heights over the surrounding landscape. They are generally mounted on buildings, towers, monopoles or other existing structures. As a result, municipalities must also determine the visual impact the addition of wireless technology will have on the locality. Secondly, wireless telecommunications can ignite controversy over the effects they may have on personal health (see section IV).When considering a wireless telecommunications plan, planners must be prepared to respond to residents’ fears.The "Wireless Communications" chronicles the most pressing concerns of local municipalities.
Major Industry Issues
Likewise, the wireless communications industry faces its own set of issues to overcome before a project will succeed. The full document details the industry’s biggest issues. For example, speed is an essential element of the development process for the industry. Often the license requirements issued by the Federal Communications Commission set up a specified timeline by which service must be supplied.Consequently, it is essential for the industry and the locality to work to expedite the permit process. Some members of the industry have sought entrance into localities while avoiding the city entirely and approaching the federal government. By the end of 1996, through the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, local jurisdictions may not act to prohibit the entrance of wireless technology on the basis of environmental effects (as long as FCC health and safety regulations are met). Finally, the industry must deal with what is technically feasible. Due to the nature of wireless technology, such selection criteria may include: surrounding terrain, maintenance access, availability of electrical power, radio frequency interference or maximizing coverage while minimizing the number of sites required.
Balancing Local and Industry Issues
"Wireless Communications Facilities Issues Paper: A Summary" provides six different guidelines recommended for local governments. For example, provide a two-level permit process. Major projects would be processed by a public hearing while minor projects would be handled administratively. A "major" or "minor" project could be distinguished by the extent of the visual impact on the area and its compatibility with adjacent uses. A minor project could be building a facility in which antennas are mounted on existing buildings and screened, colored or otherwise camouflaged from public sight. A major project might require the construction of a new freestanding facility (i.e. a lattice pole or a monopole.) As a result, due to the industry’ desire for speed and low costs, this process would encourage the industry to build facilities that are minimally visible and consistent with the surrounding community while encouraging the introduction of advanced communications technology to the area.
II. TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
Wireless communication is conducted through the air via air waves at different frequencies. Cellular and mobile radio operate between 800 MHz and 900 MHz. PCs operates at 900 MHz as well as between 1,850 MHz and 2,200 MHz. All three technologies are "cellular" in the sense that each unit or "cell" works in cooperation with the cells around it. These interconnecting sites that cover a region is the system that provides the wireless telecommunications service in the area. As its popularity grows, systems will have to grow as well by increasing the number of sites, switching from analog to digital technology, or, most likely, some combination of the two.
Antennas
There are three general types of antennas. Whip antennas emit signals 360 degrees. Panel antennas emit signal in a specific direction. Dish antennas transmit the microwave signal between the central processing station and the other two types of antennas where they are sent to the user.
Support Structures
There are also three main types of support structures. Lattice towers generally range from between 60 and 300 feet. They are very large, strong, and can hold a wide range of equipment. They are, however, very visible to the community. Monopoles are the most common structures. Between 25 and 150 feet, it consists of a single pole. They are often used near freeways and in rural areas. The third type of antenna support is the use of existing buildings or structures not specifically built for antennas, such as water towers and power line support towers. The antennas can either be mounted directly on the side of an existing structure or placed on top. Although these structures generally provide more camouflage (or "stealth"), sometimes a structure does not meet a certain height requirement for reliable wireless service, in which case a monopole is usually used instead.
Innovations in Cellular Technology
Modernization efforts are constant in this young industry. Providers are changing over from analog to digital transmission, using binary codes to represent sound at a specific time. Also, PCS or, Personal Communications Services aim to provide universal communication to the individual rather than to a specific location.This would allow a user to have a single phone number that could be carried anywhere.
"Wireless Communication" details the equipment used in cellular communications as well as the structures that support them. Also, it contains several illustrations of the equipment and a description of how cellular mobile telephone technology works.
Regulatory Framework
Federal Level
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and, in some cases, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are the two agencies responsible for regulation of wireless facilities. The FCC licenses the use of the wireless communications frequencies, and has set guidelines and procedures for the control of radio frequency (RF) field exposure to humans. The FAA has jurisdiction in cases where the tower (1) exceeds 200 feet in height, (2) is within 10,000 feet of a general aviation airport, or (3) is within 20,000 feet of a major commercial or military airport.
State Level
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is charged with regulating Wisconsin’ public utilities. Prior to 1986 it had extensive authority over regulating cellular mobile radio telecommunications utilities, however, since 1994 it has had little to no authority over the industry. The Department of Industry, Labor, and Human Relations has control over construction requirements for buildings, antennas and other structures.
Local Level
At the local level, the only significant regulatory devices are zoning requirements. Left to the municipality, all structures, including storage facilities, generally must comply with local ordinances and zoning regulations. Other laws may place time limits on approved permits, force providers to co-locate their equipment on one structure, or require public notification.
The complete essay expounds on each level. It also reports the specific functions of the FCC in regulating the industry, offers some history into the PCS regulations of the past and the changes that terminated that authority. Locally, the document details specific regulations used by cities to ensure the public health, welfare and safety of its citizens.
IV. HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
Electromagnetic energy and Radio frequency Radiation Electromagnetic energy is emitted from many different sources and exist in forms throughout the electromagnetic spectrum (from infrared to ultraviolet light). Whenever this energy moves via wave propagation through space, Radio frequency Radiation (RFR) forms.
Radiation Protection Guidelines
In 1985, the FCC first adopted guidelines for evaluating human exposure to RF radiation. The FCC revised and updated these guidelines in 1996. The FCC's RF exposure limits adopted in 1996 are based on those recommended by the National Council of Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and, over a wide range of frequencies, the exposure limits developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to replace the 1982 ANSI guidelines.
Radiation Levels and Research
Radiation levels in the United States are not considered unhealthy or dangerous. In addition, typical cellular transmitters transmit a maximum of 3,000 watts of effective radiated power. A radio broadcasting antenna emits up to 100,000 watts; a television broadcasting tower may emit as much as 5,000,000 watts ERP.
Many studies have been conducted to determine the effects of RFR on humans. Due to complexities in interpreting and collecting data, there have been no conclusive studies to prove that radiation from cellular technologies causes any additional risk to humans.
The United States General Accounting Office concluded that no studies on cellular technology and low level radiation had conclusively proven that they have any long-term adverse health effects.
Two recet studies on cellular phone use, one conducted by the National Cancer Institue, the other funded by the cell phone industry and the U.S. Public Health Service, showed no statistical association between cell phone use and brain cancer risk.
Finally, "Wireless Communication" defines the current RF exposure guidelines as well as those from the National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP), and the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA). It also cites ongoing and future research and comments on radiation levels in the United States in general.
The original document, "Wireless Communications Facilities Issues Paper: A Summary" also contains a list of additional information sources, a summary of abbreviated terms and a glossary. Please contact us for more information or to order the entire document.
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