TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Analysis maps out area's cell sites

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: July 22, 2009

TAMPA - As more people go wireless with smart phones, laptops and other mobile devices, the need for strong signals increases.

That's why the landscape is speckled with cellular towers, and companies are on the hunt for even more locations. An analysis by The Tampa Tribune showed more than 90 towers in Westchase, Lutz, Carrollwood, Odessa and surrounding areas.

The number of communications towers licensed in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties in 2008 was more than double the number licensed a decade before, according to information provided by the Federal Communications Commission.

Communications companies pay good money for these highly sought after spots. Even public school campuses made room for towers in the past few years to raise funds. That prompted the Hillsborough County Commission to recently change its policy about cell tower placement on school campuses after community outcry.

Hillsborough County commissioners changed their land-use codes last month to force tighter restrictions on schools pursuing cell tower leases. Now a public hearing is required before the towers can go up.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (727) 451-2344. Keyword: Northwest Towers, to see where cell phone towers are in your neighborhood.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT