montgomery county today
159
¯
Pottstown
Norristown
Lansdale
Collegeville
Jenkintown
Conshohocken
476
276
76
476
t
u
422
t
u
202
611
100
309
Hatboro
Ambler
Pennsburg
73
663
29
29
73
No subscribers
0-20% of households subscribe
21-40% of households subscribe
41-60% of households subscribe
61-80% of households subscribe
81-100% of households subscribe
FIGURE 120:
Household Broadband Subscriber Rates: 2010
Wireless Phone Service
Several companies, including T-Mobile, Verizon
Wireless, Sprint, AT&T, and Metro PCS, are
licensed to operate a cellular service network in
Montgomery County. The networks consist of
communications cells, which includes an antenna
and communications equipment to send and receive
wireless signals to be connected to wired phone
networks. Each antenna can only handle a limited
number of calls, so as cellular use in an area grows,
additional towers are needed to manage new users.
Many antennas are placed on towers, and normally
new towers must allow for the co-location of
antennas of multiple providers. When feasible,
water tanks, existing buildings, or other structures
are used to house antennas. Antenna placement in
more developed areas of the county may be a
contentious issue if the bulk of the antenna cannot be
easily masked. Where new communications towers
are needed, the tower structure’s design and color
can blend into its surroundings. Techniques to
further disguise the tower such as artificial tree
limbs, flag pole arrangement, or other elements can
also be employed if appropriate.
Wireless communications antennas may
be hidden within structures (as in the
church steeple on the right), placed in
plain view, or put on existing structures
like the power line on the left.
Source: The National Broadband Map, data created and main-
tained by the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (
