LANCASTER – A smart tower equipped with technology to expand Lancaster’s wireless capacity and coverage has been installed at Rawley Duntley Park, city officials announced this week. The installation is the first of several planned via the collaboration between Lancaster and Landmark Infrastructure Partners LP to pilot the Landmark FlexGrid Ecosystem solution throughout the city.
This technology will simultaneously reduce gaps in the city’s network coverage, test new technology, add security, and generate revenue, according to city officials.
“The addition of these Landmark towers throughout our community will help us all work smarter,” Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said in a news release. “What’s more, these towers will enable the city’s cellular network to support the growth of smart technologies in the future – a key benefit that provides us with the opportunity to plan for imminent advancements. This is what smart city development is all about.”
Landmark’s 36-foot tall structure enables neutral colocation, meaning multiple carriers can house their communications equipment, completely concealed from view, within a single tower. This design allows the city’s cellular coverage to densify at a faster pace compared to typical small cell rollouts made by individual carriers.
Each tower is outfitted with video surveillance cameras, an LED luminaire, sensors, and wireless solutions for 4G and 5G technologies. A number of the pilot sites will contain batteries, providing reliable and constant power in the event of an outage during a major emergency. Lancaster will serve as a testing ground for all of these technologies.
The project bears no cost for the city. Under the partnership agreement, Landmark is covering all fees, installation, and maintenance, as well as providing the city with either monthly rent or a portion of carrier revenue collected at each site.
The selection of the Rawley Duntley Park site was based on a radio frequency analysis conducted by Landmark to identify areas with poor signals from major cellular providers. Towers will be strategically placed in these areas, strengthening the coverage and quality where they are needed most. The Rawley Duntley Park tower, in particular, represents an important investment in the future, as this tower will improve service for students and faculty at the neighboring Antelope Valley College.
The next smart towers will be deployed at Lancaster City Hall and Sgt. Steve Owen Park. Over the coming months, 15 installations are anticipated at various sites, including the Lancaster Metrolink Station, the Lancaster Soccer Stadium, and additional city parks.
With the arrival of this infrastructure, the city is prepared for the simultaneous support of 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT), wireless opportunities, and other future technologies.
[Information via news release from the city of Lancaster.]
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Marietta Cabral says
I retired 66 1/2 and I only got $1200+ You mentioned that I should be getting $1600+. I am just a bit concern.
Alby says
I use to think that people with foil paper hats were crazy. Now I want my hat, shirt and trousers made of foil paper.
Tom says
Something good for the community finally and you people still bitch and complain. Who cares if it has cameras or gunshot sensors if the gunshot sensor is true, if your not committing any crimes at the places where there mounted then you have no worries. Half the crap in your homes are ratting you out anyways keeping an eye out on what you look at online and such. I’m really tired of all the negative crap it’s always the same people with the same lines written. You all want Lancaster to be better instead of bitching how about you do something get off your ass to make change. your crying will not solve a thing.
East Lancaster says
Yes I want Lancaster to be better. I want Rex and his corrupt cronies out of office so we can stop the insider deals and waste of tax dollars on pet projects.
Joe Johnson says
So, they are going to “test” this equipment where our children go and play every day. Sure, they keep saying it is safe. But that’s what they said about a lot of things and then 20 years later..you have cancer. Asbestos, x-rays, etc..they said it was all safe until it was too late.
Emma Rald says
Why would Rex care? He lives in Laguna. He is exposing the residents of Antelope Acres to Valley Fever with his endless solar farms. Like he gives a hoot. The sea breeze coming off the Pacific to his beach palace is heavenly.
Laughing says
The cellular water meters, electric meters and gas meters don’t concern you? The central neighborhood signal boosters for the same don’t bother you? Every neighbor having 2 or more access points emitting does not bother you? Carrying around a mobile unit or two in your pockets/purse does not bother you? All of the radar used at street level, not to mention a few local airports and military bases? Lest we forget all of the point to point signals for security and secure networks?
Guess what every form of radio communications does do… cause heat.
John Williamms says
I totally agree ..this 5g stuff is dangerous and let alone tested and they did not give us a say in the matter go figure
kushdiva27 says
Those towers are only the beginning to the END..
Watch how cancer will increase in the hundreds & watch our wildlife start dying off … how do ”WE” the people benefit from all this, are we getting paid to be the guinne pigs …NOPE!!! All I know is exiting this vile city would be best!!! Lancaster isn’t a small nice quiet town to live in anymore, it’s just a cesspool of
ALL EVIL in this city!!!
CheechNotChong says
@kushdiva27
While I might agree that this city is a sh-ithole, you are more likely to develop cancer from your microwave oven than you are from a few cellular signal boosters.
Lighten up on smoking that kush though, and you’ll be less paranoid!
Vic says
There is nothing smart in or about Lancaster, especially since Wrecks took over.
Concerned Citizen says
These towers have facial recognition. Gun shot sensors and other eavesdropping devices on them. This is not about extending cell coverage it is avout Big Brother keeping a more vigilant eye on YOU.
Another Concerned Citizen says
You are right Concerned Citizen. We should all be concerned. Rex is acting more and more like his Communist Chinese counterparts. But the sheep of Lancaster continue their slow march to their slaughter.
Joe Johnson says
Wow, I believe it. What BS?
William says
Good one, Tim Scott.
I would love to see Rex-lax trash-talk the tower in an election. You know he would.
Can I copyright “Rex-lax”?
Tim Scott says
A smart tower. It should run for mayor.