Best of the ISP-Lists

Take Me To Your Leader

Curious about a new tower in your area? Members of the ISP-Wireless list share the secrets of finding its owner. Check out the Feds—the FCC and the FAA might be helpful.

[June 12, 2001]

On the ISP-Wireless list in May, JP queried,

"There's a brand new tower that just went up a few miles from my house. It's in an excellent spot for my wireless network, as I can clearly see the flashing strobe light from practically anywhere I drive around town. Any idea how I could go about finding out who owns it?"

A number of respondents suggested that the municipal government should have the information:

[JM noted] "Whoever is building it would have had to get a building permit from the municipality. This should be available on demand at the construction site. If not, the town office should have it on file."

[MC agreed] "Try calling your city planning and zoning board. Approvals/permits may have been filed."

[JH added] "Your county assessor, surveyor, clerk, or zoning board should have that information. I'd check with the zoning board first. If it has a strobe on it, they probably had to have the area zoned to put it up."

Others advised checking with the FCC or the FAA:

[JL observed] "If it has flashing lights and is over 200 feet, it's registered with the FCC ULS (Universal Licensing System) and the FAA tower database as part of the ASR (Antenna Structure Registration) paper chase.See:

• Wireless Radio Tower Locator: http://www.berkana.com/tower.html
• FCC ULS Databases: http://www.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/wtbdatadump.pl"

[KM added] "I believe they are supposed to have an FCC registration number visible, but if it just went up, the sign might not be posted yet."

[CM agreed] "FCC licenses are supposed to be posted onsite. Barring that, check with the FAA, since it's lit."

Still others offered some slightly more 'alternative' suggestions:

[RM advised] "Crown Castle, SpectraSite, American Tower, or SBA Communications may own it and have sales reps who would just love to hear from you. Most of the time, when a new one goes up, it is partly rented. Call the Cellular/PCS/Nextel offices close to you, ask for engineering, and find out if they are renting space on it and from whom."

[AB recommended] "Check with local HAM operators. They tend to keep their eyes open when it comes to towers."

[BB countered] "Get the ID number off of the power company's meter located on the building, then call the power company to see who pays the bill!"

—End

Related articles:
	[May 31, 2001]	Making the FCC Your Business
	[Sep. 13, 2000]	Licensing for Antennas and Towers