Cell Phone Towers and Their Affects

In the past decade many users of cellular phones, many of whom are smart phone users have risen exponentially in the United States. With the rise of those users also came greater demand for cellular data. The current infrastructure of cell towers had to increase to meet demands consumer demand. The companies met that demand with new cell towers in various areas around the country to improve services. The increase in towers quelled demand, however with the decrease in the price of technology more users were able to acquire smartphones. As such, as more people became owners of smart phones more and more towers went up across the U.S. citizens of various communities became increasing wary of the potential health hazard that the towers could bring. The Telecommuications Act of 1996, however, prevented local municipalities from bringing up concerns against the towers (Taylor, 2010). Instead residents and other concerned local organizations had to take up the fight over the unsightliness of the tower instead. While residents protested that the towers lowered property values and ruined landscapes, the fact that public fear over health concerns remain at the forefront of peoples minds. The question then must be asked, how can a balance be struck with providing residence enough cellular coverage as well as mitigating health concerns.

T-Mobile approached Mount Diablo Silverado Boy Scout Council to propose building a tower on thier campsite. T-Mobile would pay Mount Diablo $2,200 a month over the course of 30 years with a gross sum $792,000 at the end of the 30 year term. The large sum would allow the council to expand it’s activates and also renovate the campgrounds. When local residents, parents, and organizations found out the plans of T-Mobile they were less than thrilled. Letters to cease any further activity on the proposed tower were quickly sent to the council as well as various petitions signed with hundreds of signatures. The council found itself...