- Your
City or County:
These people can normally be reached by phone and there should be
several people who should know site locations. The task is to find the
right person. Virtually all cell sites require a building permit so the
Building Department should have a record them all. They may even be
online. However, these are busy
people so you may need to ask around to find someone willing to help.
Most cell sites need 'special consideration' so often a "Community
Development" or "Facilities Coordinator" gets involved. Don't limit
your search to public 'officials', normally the 'coordinator', clerk or
even a secretary knows more than the boss.
- Special
Facilities and Districts:
These are the
semi-public organizations that have significant real estate, building
or infrastructure holdings. Check your state department of highways,
local housing authority, school board, park district and the like.
- Building
Managers:
You may see
or suspect a cell site located on the rooftop of a nearby building.
Call the building's manager. Some buildings have a receptionist who may
have spoken to the cellular installers and repair persons and know
which carrier they are working with.
- Utilities:
Cell
sites can be found on water towers, power poles and other
infrastructure. These organizations are often large and it may be
difficult to find the right person to help you. Being nice helps your
cause.
- Your
Homeowners Association:
Cellular carriers normally notify your HOA about nearby cell site
installation and some actually rent space in your common areas. If you
haven't contacted your HOA before, this is a great reason to look them
up.
- The
Nearest Cellular Store:
These employees are best approached in person. They might
know nearby cell site locations, but often don't. If you visit a
corporate-owned store, seek out the "geek", maybe the guy who fixes
phones, and ask. Some independent cellular stores have a
broader knowledge of each carrier's facilities.
- Wireless
Construction Companies:
They could be as close as your yellow pages. These could be very small
and you might end up ringing the owner's cell phone. Make a friend
here, though, and you'll be golden. A 6-pack (or flowers) might help
the exchange of information.
- Your Local Wireless Carrier:
If you have a small, local cellular carrier nearby, they
might know where their nearest cell site is, but they may also
know the
location of
cell sites for the competing carriers.
- Still
Haven't Found Your Site? Try Step 3
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