– Have you been approached for a new cell tower and you are trying to determine if the cell tower lease advantages outweigh the cell tower lease disadvantages?

– Are you trying to find out how to get a cell tower on your property, but need to understand more about the pros and cons?

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The 4 Advantages of a Cell Tower Lease

Here are the primary reasons that landowners choose to say yes to a cell tower on their property:

1. Get Rental Income

A cell tower will generate rental income for you, your family, or your business. Most tenants are billion-dollar telecommunication companies that will pay on time and for decades into the future. Moreover, the rent will escalate as the years go by. If you negotiate specific terms, with the help of a cell tower expert, you may also be able to increase that rent with the addition of more subtenants on the tower.

2. Get Better Reception

Although your service has to be the same as the wireless carriers on the tower, a cell tower lease provides an advantage of better cell phone reception. Many parts of the country still have gaps in coverage. By having a cell tower, in addition to getting income from the rent, you can stay connected with your network without having to worry about dropped calls.

3. Cash Out the Lease by Selling It (aka Lease Buyout)

A cell tower lease is an asset that you can sell in order to get a lump-sum payout. Basically, a buyer will pay you in exchange to receive the rent and the lease rights for a certain amount of time – usually 50 to 100 years. This can provide a great way to generate funds for a variety of important needs that property owners may face. To learn more, please see the 10 Benefits of a Cell Tower Lease Buyout.

4. Increase the Overall Property Value

Since the cell tower lease generates income, that cash flow helps raise the overall value of the property. Of course, this could potentially be offset by any aesthetic issues of the tower as detailed in the potential disadvantages below. However, many property owners have still realized a property increase based on the hundreds of thousands – if not millions of dollars – a cell tower can generate over its lifetime.

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The 4 Disadvantages of a Cell Tower Lease

Here are the main reasons a cell tower may be a disadvantage for your particular situation:

1. Aesthetics

Even a well-built, beautiful cell tower, can still be an “eye-sore” to some property owners. Many areas of the country require stealth, or concealed towers, so it minimizes this issue. You may have seen towers designed to look like trees, flag poles, or other building structures so they are not readily apparent. Yet, it is still a cell tower.

2. Property Value

As previously mentioned, the overall property value may have the potential to decrease with a cell tower. That is because a potential buyer may not like the aesthetics of it, or maybe the lease prevents them from developing the property the way they want in the future. These issues can be solved with hiring the right cell tower lease consultant to ensure your cell tower lease allows for different variable, but it still may be an issue.

3. Maintenance

Just like any other piece of technology, the equipment must be maintained and upgraded. A cell tower is no different. A landlord can expect to have periodic visits onto their land from technicians that are making sure the cell site stays operational. This is usually done without any disturbance to the property owner, but it is something to consider.

4. Health Considerations

Some landlords are concerned that having a tower close to them may cause health problems. There have been many studies performed that show there is little evidence to support this claim. Since the level of energy from the radio frequency (RF) waves is low, it is not enough to break the chemical bonds in DNA molecules. Also, the RF waves present at the ground level is low, which is similar to radio and television signals. For more information, please see a study by the American Cancer Society.

Find out more about the benefits of a cell tower
lease today with your free consultation.

(833) MY-TOWER
(833) 698-6937

info@toweradvantage.com

Tower Advantage can assist you in getting a cell phone tower! Every week, property owners call us to ask how we can help them. There are primarily two main reasons they want a cell tower. Firstly, there is no service in the area, and secondly, they want to earn income from the lease.

Did You Know?

Did you know that most cell tower company are looking to expand and/or upgrade their networks across the United States? Also, did you know that a cell tower lease can earn you hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of dollars over its lifetime?

Marketing To More Companies That Matter

Our experts will market your property to the 20+ companies that are in the business of putting up new cell towers. We use our expertise to “spread the word” so you have the best chance of obtaining interest in your property location for a cell tower lease.

Below are the four important steps that we take to save you both valuable time and energy.

3 Steps To Help You Get A Cell Phone Tower

Step 1:  Firstly, we submit your property-specific information to over 20 companies for your best chance of success, including tower companies, wireless service providers, and site acquisition firms.

Step 2:  Secondly, we provide you with a complete list of companies to which your property information was submitted.

Step 3:  Thirdly, we follow up to make sure the information has been received and included in their databases.

Market My Property Today

For a low cost, one-time fee of $1,999.95, our experts will go to work for you. Tower Advantage will not only save you time and energy, we will provide your specific property details to more companies across the telecommunication industry for the best chance of success.

Please complete the following information so you can have the Tower Advantage.

Our experts will follow up with you after you
have submitted your information to us.

(833) MY-TOWER
(833) 698-6937

info@toweradvantage.com

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made the decision: T-Mobile-Sprint Merger Gets FCC Approval

The deal has previously been approved by the Department of Justice (DOJ). However, the DOJ approval is made contingent upon T-Mobile and Sprint divesting a minimum of 20,000 cell sites and a certain number of retail locations to Dish. As part of that divestiture, Dish will have access to T-Mobile’s network for seven years, during which time, Dish will begin building its own network of coverage.

In addition, the FCC’s approval is conditional on the commitments by T-Mobile and Sprint to provide wireless users with more benefits. Specifically, the companies agreed to deploy 5G service to cover 97% of Americans in the next three years. Within the next six years, the companies have also pledged to provide 90% of Americans with access to mobile speeds of 100 megabytes per second. If these commitments are not met, the FCC could fine them in excess of $2 billion.

Although the FCC argues that competition will not be harmed by a T-Mobile-Sprint merger, others disagree. Several state attorneys general and dissenting FCC commissioners believe it will lead to less competition and higher prices. This past June, several state attorneys general filed a civil anti-trust lawsuit which is scheduled for trial in December. A decision is unlikely for several months after the trial begins.

In a dissenting opinion to today’s approval, FCC Commissioner, Geoffrey Stark, wrote:

“Based on my review of the record, I believe that T-Mobile and Sprint have failed to prove that their merger will benefit the public interest. While the parties promise their merger will accelerate the availability of some form of ‘5G’ for some Americans, history teaches us that the most likely effect of this merger will be higher prices and fewer options for Americans.”

However, for the first three years following the merger, T-Mobile’s CEO, John Legere, promised not to raise the price of wireless plans during that time. Legore just announced on Twitter that T-Mobile is planning on having an event, entitled “The New T-Mobile Un-Carrier 1.0” which will be on Thursday, November 7th. The event is likely going to reveal more information on T-Mobile’s plans in the coming months.

If you are T-Mobile or Sprint landlord, contact us today to better understand your options related to a T-Mobile-Sprint merger.

(833) MY-TOWER
(833) 698-6937

info@toweradvantage.com

There are many benefits to landlords that choose a cell tower lease buyout. Like any decision, your options should be weighed carefully with a qualified cell tower advisor. The team at Tower Advantage are happy to provide you with a free consultation to better understand your specific cell tower lease situation, including the 10 benefits of a cell tower lease buyout. 

10. Retirement Planning

By selling a cell tower lease, landlords can fund their retirement accounts with a lump-sum payment in order to maximize their money. When combining this purpose with some of the others benefits listed, selling your lease can help leverage your assets. 

9. Capital Improvements

Does your property need repair, restoration or an addition to enhance its value? This is another benefit of a cell tower lease buyout. Landlords have used proceeds from a cell tower lease sale from everything from kitchen remodels to adding on a second story to their residence.

8. Children’s Education Fund

The cost of higher education has increased exponentially over the last several decades. Even parents that have saved regularly since their children were young, face the difficult realization that it still may not be enough with the rising costs.

7. Sell Your Property For More

When landlords sell their cell tower lease separately from the rest of the property, they can often increase their sales proceeds. That is because the companies who only purchase the cell tower leases value them differently than parties looking to acquire the entire property. 

6. Pay Off Your Mortgage 

A cell tower lease buyout can help your balance sheet and your cash flow. Without a mortgage, you can often use that extra money towards other things that provide you with more “bang-for-your-buck!” We always recommend consulting your tax advisor for these situations.

5. Unforeseen Life Event

An unforeseen life event can often create many problems that are difficult to overcome without the necessary resources. Many times, that unforeseen life event can be solved with money. Whether it is a legal issue, a potential bankruptcy, or a health concern, a cell tower lease buyout may provide you with the money necessary to get back on track.

4. Improve Your Business

Since cell tower leases are not guaranteed, and often have termination clauses that are less than 90 days, banks often do not provide loans that are collateralized by cell tower leases. A cell tower lease buyout can provide a business owner with the funds necessary to do a variety of things to better their business situation, including expanding their business by adding more employees or more locations.

3. Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions can result in the loss of a cell tower lease. When companies merge or are acquired, there are cell sites that often overlap or become redundant in a specific area. These changed circumstances cause the company to decommission cell towers. Some examples include Nextel and Cricket tower leases that lost all of their value although they were once worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

2. Avoiding Technology Risks

Technology is always advancing. When it changes, or becomes obsolete, the leases associated with that technology lose their value. A cell tower lease buyout provides an option for landlords to avoid this risk.

1. Value of Money Today

Have you ever heard of the time value of money (TVM)? The TVM is the concept that money available at the present time is worth more than the identical sum in the future due to its potential earning capacity. Although a cell tower lease buyout will not necessarily provide you the exact same amount today, the concept still holds true in light of other variables that relate to a cell tower lease’s potential longevity. These are just 10 benefits of a cell tower lease buyout.

Contact us today to learn more about whether
a cell tower lease buyout is right for you.

(833) MY-TOWER
(833) 698-6937

info@toweradvantage.com

How do you know you are working with the right cell tower lease consultant? In order to help you make the best decision possible, we recommend that you consider the following 10 factors when hiring a cell tower lease consultant.

1. Require An Expert Negotiator

A consultant that has telecommunication experience is simply not enough to ensure that you get the best deal possible. You need an expert negotiator!

Many people who have cell tower industry experience do not have the required negotiation and legal experience which should be mandatory as a cell tower consultant. Without it, your best interests cannot be represented effectively in a cell tower lease transaction. It doesn’t matter whether they are helping you with a new lease, a lease extension, or a lease buyout.

The experts at Tower Advantage possess this crucial expertise, in addition to the necessary cell tower knowledge. This ensures the best overall result for our clients.

2. Require “Real World” Experience

The type of experience a consultant has is crucial to knowing the value of their services.

Many consultants have worked only a few years in the telecommunication industry before becoming consultants. There is nothing wrong with being inexperienced. However, your interests are best protected by a cell tower lease consultant that is well-seasoned.

Do not be afraid to ask probing questions about their experience in order to ensure they possess the necessary expertise to advocate on your behalf.

Our experts have over two decades of “real world” experience in the areas of telecommunications, real estate, law, finance and contract negotiations.

3. Require A Complimentary Initial Consultation

Requiring a complimentary initial consultation is the best way to better understand who you will be working with, their specific expertise, what services they provide for your unique situation, and how much they will charge.

Not all free consultations are the same. Some companies look to learn more about your situation — not to better provide you with options — but rather to maximize their fee!

Although every particular cell tower lease situation is unique, beware of cell tower lease consultants who do not provide you with their charges up-front.

4. Require Client References

Client references are an important part of deciding whether to hire a cell tower lease consultant.

Signed testimonials with real contact information can provide you with the confidence that the consultant has a successful track record. Upon request, we will also provide you with telephone numbers for previous clients in case you require more verification. Tower Advantage also maintains a rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars with its Google Reviews. Moreover, Google ensures these reviews are from verified Gmail users, and we have them from clients across the country.

Unfortunately, many consultants cannot provide these types of testimonials.  As a result, you can rest assured you are hiring a true expert.

5. Require Legal Experience

In order to successfully negotiate cell tower lease agreements, a consultant needs to have intimate knowledge and experience revising those agreements on behalf of their clients. This includes the necessary legal knowledge and skill to advocate effectively for you. Tower Advantage was founded by an attorney with the required background that ensures our clients are represented successfully.

When presented to landlords, most cell tower agreements are one-sided for the tenant since they were written by their attorneys. Without a thorough understanding of the proper language to include for the landlord’s unique situation, the consultant will not be able to properly advocate for their client.

At Tower Advantage, our experts have negotiated hundreds — if not, thousands — of agreements. In addition, we have a collection of language that has been successfully negotiated for all cell tower tenants. This provides our clients with a more efficient and expedited transaction. It also saves them money.

6. Require Professionalism

Don’t hire a bully! Unfortunately, many consultants can be bullies. No one likes dealing with a bully.

We have heard many stories of transactions that were never completed simply because the cell tower tenant did not want to work with the consultant. Why is that, you ask? Because the consultant tried to “strong arm” the other side into submission – without a hint of professionalism.

Every transaction has two sides. By best understanding the other side’s position, along with acting in a professional manner to complete the deal for both parties’ benefit, Tower Advantage has been successfully helping clients around the nation.

7. Require Various Fee Options

You should have various options when it comes to a cell tower lease consultant’s fee.

We understand that not every client is in the same situation. Some clients prefer contingent fees so they do not have to pay until a transaction is successfully completed. Others prefer fixed fees or hourly fees. In any case, the fee should be reasonable.

Cell tower leases have the potential to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in income to you over many decades. Ensure that the value of the cell tower lease consultant’s services provide a “win-win” for both of you.

Tower Advantage will provide you with the fee flexibility you deserve when hiring a cell tower consultant.

8. Require “Insider” Background

Unless a consultant has worked on the other side of the cell tower lease transaction, they will not have the necessary “insider” background that is crucial to help you succeed with yours.

Again, there is nothing wrong with not having that experience, you just should refuse to hire a cell tower consultant who lacks this attribute. Knowing the “ins-and-outs” of how a cell tower tenant is trying to maximize its opportunity provides our clients with a better understanding of its realistic options during the negotiation.

Tower Advantage has that expertise!

9. Require Exceptional Service

Have you ever heard the phrase “under promise and over deliver”? That is the mantra every person in the service industry should try to achieve.

A cell tower lease consultant is no exception. A consultant should provide you with updates throughout the transaction. They should also timely respond to your inquiries, and make you feel like you are their only client.

Tower Advantage provides our clients with the exceptional service that they deserve, keeping them informed from the start, to the end, of the transaction.

10. Require Friendliness

Have you ever felt like you were bothering someone that was there to serve you?

We have all experienced that and it is not pleasant. Especially when there are so many choices of who we can give our money to in order to obtain the same service.

We are consumers too. Being friendly is the right way to interact with others, whether it is with our clients, wireless tenants, or the purchasers of our client’s cell tower leases.

Contact a cell tower lease consultant at Tower Advantage today
for your complimentary initial consultation.

(833) MY-TOWER
(833) 698-6937

info@toweradvantage.com

In this day and age, we may take for granted the technology that makes our portable phones work – that’s right, I said “portable” – since we can take them almost anywhere we want to go now-a-days!

How Do Cell Towers Work: The Basics

A cell phone emits electromagnetic radio waves which are known as radio frequency (RF) signals. The main purpose of a cell tower is to transmit and receive those RF signals.

When you use your cell phone, the closest cell phone tower picks up those RF signals for transmission. Cell phones are basically advanced two way radios – constantly sending and receiving signals, to and from the antennas located on the cell towers.

Uplink Versus Downlink

When your telephone sends a signal to the cell tower, it is called an “uplink”. When the cell tower sends a signal to your cell phone, it is called a “downlink”. The terms we are familiar with are “upload” and “download”. The upload and download use different RF signals, that way the signals do not interfere with each other.

Remember Using a Walkie-Talkie? 

You had to tune to the same frequency as your friends to talk and listen to them; however, you could not both talk and listen at the same time. That is because the frequency was used for both talking and listening, so only one person could talk at a time.

That is the reason we said “over” after someone was done talking. It let everyone else know that another person could begin talking. Separate RF signals avoid this problem. One is for talking and one for listening – which is how your cell phone works with a cell tower.

Words Into Wires?

What happens after your cell phone has taken your voice, converted into electromagnetic waves, and transmitted it to the cell tower?  The cell tower antennas then convert the RF signals into light pulses. Then, they are carried down to the base transceiver box at the base of the tower. At which point, they can be sent out at the speed of light, anywhere around the world.  This process is reversed once the light pulses arrive at the destination tower, but how can a call reach someone when they can be anywhere at anytime?

How Does A Cell Tower Direct A Call To You When You Could Be Anywhere At Anytime?

This is a complex process, but here is a simplified explanation. A group of cell towers in a specific area are connected by wires to a central point called a Mobile Switching Center (MSC).  As you can imagine, there are thousands of MSCs around the world – all interconnected by wires – each with many cell towers that are part of each of their particular network.

Each MSC has SIM cards that are registered with it, and so that will be that particular phone’s “Home MSC”. Your Home MSC stores information such as your service plan, your current location, and your activity status.  In my case, my Home MSC is in my local area – San Diego – where my SIM is registered.

Whenever you take your cell phone outside of the range of your Home MSC, the new MSC that you are near – known as a Foreign MSC – will communicate with your Home MSC, so it will always know where you are located.

When your cell phone is on, it is not in airplane mode, and it is within range of a cell tower, that cell tower recognizes your phone using RF signals. The MSC to which the cell tower you are near is connected – again, either your Home MSC or a Foreign MSC – then routes the call to you.

Contact us if you would like to learn more about how cell towers work.
We can help you with your cell tower site!

(833) MY-TOWER
(833) 698-6937

info@toweradvantage.com