[R.O. 2003 §425.010; Ord. No. 557, 4-10-1997]
New technologies and the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996
are resulting in a broad array of communications services being established.
The Telecommunications Act promotes competition among providers of
all forms of telecommunications services and limits in some respects
the ability of local governments to regulate the availability of these
services.
[R.O. 2003 §425.020; Ord. No. 557, 4-10-1997]
For the purpose of this Chapter, certain terms or words used
herein shall be interpreted or defined as follows, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:
ALTERNATE TOWER STRUCTURE
Man-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, light poles
and similar alternative-design mounting structures that camouflage
or conceal the presence of antennas or towers.
ACT
The Communications Act of 1934, as it has been amended from
time to time, including by Telecommunications Act of 1996, and shall
include future amendments to the Communications of 1934.
AFFILIATE
When used in relation to an operator, another person who
directly or indirectly owns or controls, is owned or controlled by,
or is under common ownership or common control with the operator,
or an operator's principal; partners, shareholders, or owners
of some other ownership interest; and when used in relation to the
City/County, any agency, board, authority or political subdivision
affiliated with the City/County or other person in which the City/County
has a legal financial interest.
ANTENNA
Any structure or device used to collect or radiate electromagnetic
waves, including both directional antennas, such as panels, microwave
dishes and satellite dishes and omnidirectional antennas, such as
whips but not including satellite earth stations.
BAND
A clearly defined range of radio frequencies dedicated to
particular purpose.
BROADCAST
To transmit information over the airwaves to two (2) or more
receiving devices simultaneously. Information can be transmitted over
local television or radio stations, satellite systems or wireless
data communications networks.
CELL SITE
A tract or parcel of land that contains the cellular communication
antenna, its support structure, accessory building(s), and parking,
and may include other uses associated with an ancillary use to cellular
communication transmission.
CELLULAR SERVICE
A telecommunications service that permits customers to use
wireless, mobile telephones to connect, via low-power radio transmitter
sites called cell sites, either to the public switched network or
to other mobile cellular phones.
CHANNEL
A segment of a frequency band. Also referred to simply as
"frequency."
CO-LOCATION
Locating wireless communications equipment from more than
one (1) provider on a single site.
COMMUNICATION TOWER
A guyed, monopole, or self-supporting tower, constructed
as a freestanding structure or in association with a building, other
permanent structure or equipment, containing one (1) or more antennas
intended for transmitting or receiving television, AM/FM radio, digital,
microwave, cellular, telephone, or similar forms of electronic communication.
CROSS BAR
A structure at or near the top of the low-power mobile radio
service telecommunications facility which provides support and horizontal
separation for the antenna(s).
DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA
An antenna or array of antennas designed to concentrate a
radio signal in a particular area.
DISH ANTENNA
A dish-like antenna used to link communications sites together
by wireless transmission of voice or data. Also called "microwave
antenna" or "microwave dish antenna."
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission.
FREESTANDING LOW-POWER MOBILE RADIO SERVICE FACILITY
A low-power mobile radio service telecommunications facility
that consists of a standalone support structure, antenna and associated
equipment. The support structure may be a wooden pole, steel monopole,
lattice tower, light standard, or other vertical support.
FREQUENCY
The number of cycles completed each second by a sound wave;
measured in hertz (Hz).
GUYED TOWER
A communication tower that is supported, in whole or in part,
by guy wires and ground anchors.
INTERFERENCE
Disturbances in reception caused by intruding signals or
electrical current.
LAND MOBILE SYSTEMS
Two-way radio service for mobile and stationary units in
which each user is assigned a particular frequency.
LATTICE TOWER
A guyed or self-supporting three- or four-sided, open, steel
frame structure used to support telecommunications equipment.
LICENSE
The rights and obligations extended by the City/County to
an operator to own, construct, maintain, and operate its system within
the boundaries of the City/County for the sole purpose of providing
services to persons or areas outside the City/County.
LOW-POWER TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
An unmanned facility consisting of equipment for the reception,
switching and/or receiving of wireless telecommunications operating
at one thousand (1,000) watts or less effective radiated power (ERP),
including but not limited to the following:
1.
Point-to-point microwave signals.
2.
Signals through FM radio translators.
3.
Signals through FM radio boosters under ten (10) watts effective
radiated power (ERP).
4.
Cellular, enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMS) and personal
communications networks (PCN).
5.
Private low-power mobile radio service.
MHz
Megahertz or one million (1,000,000) Hz.
MICRO-CELL
A low-power mobile radio service telecommunications facility
used to provide increased capacity in high cell-demand areas or to
improve coverage in areas of weak coverage.
MICROWAVE
Electromagnetic radiation with frequencies higher than one
thousand (1,000) MHz; highly directional signal used to transmit frequencies
from point to point at a relatively low power level.
MICROWAVE ANTENNA
A dish-like antenna manufactured in many sizes and shapes
used to link communication sites together by wireless transmission
of voice or data.
MONOPOLE TOWER
A communication tower consisting of a single pole, constructed
without guy wires and ground anchors.
OMNIDIRECTIONAL ANTENNA
An antenna that is equally effective in all directions and
whole size varies with the frequency and gain for which it is designated.
PANEL ANTENNA
An antenna that transmits signals in specific directions
and typically square or rectangular in shape.
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES (PCS)
Digital wireless telephone technology such as portable phones,
pagers, faxes and computers. Such mobile technology promises to allow
each consumer to use the same telephone number wherever he/she goes.
Also known as personnel communications network (PCN).
PRIVATE LOW-POWER MOBILE RADIO SERVICE
All other forms of wireless telecommunications which have
similar physical facilities to a low power commercial radio service
but do not meet the definition of "commercial mobile radio service."
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Any real property, easement, right-of-way, air space, or
other interest in real estate, including a street, owned or controlled
by the City/County or any other governmental unit.
REPEATER
A low-power mobile radio service telecommunications facility
that extends coverage of cell to areas not covered by the originating
cell.
SELF-SUPPORT TOWER
A communication tower that is constructed without guy wires
and ground anchors.
SPECIALIZED MOBILE RADIO (SMR)
A mobile radio which is utilized in conjunction with an enhanced
special mobile radio network, which includes dispatch and interconnect
services.
TOWER
Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily
for the purpose of supporting one (1) or more antennas, including
self-supporting lattice towers, guy towers, or monopole towers. The
term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave
towers, common carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, alternative
tower structures, and the like.
VHF
Very high frequency with bands from 30–300 MHz; includes
FM radio, VHF-TV and some land mobile and common carriers.
WAVELENGTH
The distance between points of corresponding phases of a
periodic wave of two (2) constant cycles. Wavelength = wave velocity/frequency.