A modern recognize of the Fcc's antenna buildings registration database showed that in 2001 there were almost 89,000 antenna sites registered with the Fcc. Today, there are over 109,000 registered sites. It is leading to note that most towers under 200' are not required to be registered, so there are significantly more towers in the Us than this whole suggests.
All of these sites are on someone's property, either the tower business or antenna site owner owns the land underneath it or is leasing it. Over the past 5 years, the tower companies and wireless carriers have predominately chosen to lease land rather than buy it. Assuming that the increase in antenna buildings registrations constitutes just 50% or all new leases, in the last five years, that yields 40,000 new cell site leases.
From my feel in the manufactures procuring land and buildings sites for cell towers and antenna sites, the vast majority of the landowners who are approached to lease land or space on their building have very puny feel with this type of lease agreement. The landowners often ask with their company and colleagues to find out how they should negotiate. However that assumes that the landowner's colleague negotiated a good bargain in the first place, which is often questionable.
So where is a landowner faced with negotiating a lease bargain to turn? First, start by request the pertinent questions from the agent concerned in leasing space for a cell tower.
What is the going rate for a cell tower in this area?
What is your average lease payment?
What was the whole of the last lease bargain you signed? Can you show it to me?
Why are you finding at my property?
Is there anything extra about it?
While you may not get uncomplicated answers, you will at least get a sense of how this agent operates. From there, be ready to do some research. Ask friends and business company if they know of anything with a tower on their property. Hunt the web for cell tower lease rates and for cell tower leases. Be aware that every piece of asset is distinct and that each has its own value to a wireless carrier that may not be reflected by its total value. Call your local zoning or planning office to discuss what the requirements are for a tower and either or not your site meets them.
Lastly, retain the services of an attorney, consultant, or both. You are establishment to sign a 25 year bargain that will tie your land up, make sure that you understand it well. The cost of a great attorney or consultant is minimal compared to the money received over the term of the lease. If you are using an attorney, ask specifically how many wireless leases they have negotiated. If the acknowledge is less than 5, look for man else. A wireless lease is not like a acceptable commercial lease even though some of the clauses will be the same. Your attorney categorically needs to know the divergence or he/she could end up costing you the lease.
A cell tower lease can be a very lucrative proposition for you. We in the manufactures like to call it mailbox money- you sit back and receive a nice monthly check for doing nothing other than allowing your land to be leased, often for significantly more than any other type of use on the property. While the recompense can be great, make sure that you minimize the risk by request the questions and getting the outside help you need.
Negotiating a Cell Tower Lease: Getting Help