Cell Site & Cell Tower Business 101






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Everyone wants to get paid what they’re worth.

Whether it’s based on principle or pride, it irritates us when someone else gets a better deal, or we lose out to someone who undercuts our asking price. While we hold something’s worth as an absolute, we have often come to this determination by a subjective, mind’s eye calculation of what is commonly referred to as “the going rate.”

For cell site landlords, the determination of worth goes something like this: “My uncle is making $1,650 a month on his cell site lease and my site is in a much better location than his so I should be getting $1,800.”

Landlords are often angered when they are told that’s not the rate that the tenant wants to pay. They think they’re getting gypped. They don’t understand why this tenant is not honoring the going rate. And therein lies the problem: never confuse the “going rate” with the “market rate.” The last house to sell on my street almost a year ago has nothing to do with what a different buyer will pay for my house today.

The real market rate for cell site leases is not what another tenant paid down the street. In today’s business environment, it’s what the competing potential landlord across the street will accept. Thanks to carriers’ escalating operating costs, the public’s appetite for new technology and the network’s evolving engineering requirements; cell site leasing has become a competitive marketplace. Let’s take a look at what landlords can do to protect their income.

For years it has been said that the going rate for a cell site lease is roughly $1,500 to $1,800 for space on a previously existing tower or rooftop and around $1000 base for ground space to build a tower. Obviously, this varies widely depending on a downtown Manhattan location vs. rural farm land. But this dollar amount represents the “average rent” that tenants have been willing to pay over the last several years in a market where speed and coverage are a carrier priority. With subscribers now reaching market saturation, carriers are reevaluating their expenses and what they’re willing to pay for their cell site leases. Add to that new technology and network evolutions that have redefined “the best site in town,” and you’ve got a new model that will change the business of cell site leasing. This dynamic is slowly but surely redefining what is market rate rent.

In cell site lingo, if a potential tenant really desires a cell site and there is only one potential location for that lease, then the rent will increase. And if that tenant’s desire holds constant or decreases while the potential options for cell site locations increase, then rent will decrease.

As a landlord, what can you control when it comes to your cell site? Site selection is based on a number of factors that tenants consider when determining sites to include in their network:

·         Constructability – Is the land or rooftop viable for developing and maintaining a cell site?

·         Zoning/Permitting — Will the tenant be able to obtain the necessary zoning approval and permits for site development?

·         Access – Is the location reasonably accessible for the development and ongoing maintenance?

·         RF Coverage — Will the site provide the desired coverage?

So, if all these factors are favorable, why is the carrier only offering you $500? Quite frankly, it’s because they don’t know you’ve done your research. They don’t realize that you’ve already contacted Main Stream Telecom and you’ve decided to hire us to guide you through your lease negotiations.

Call Alex Blasscyk today at 407.989.9809 or visit us at celltowerhelp.com and find the answers to any questions you may have.


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About Main Stream Telecom II, LLC.

Main Stream Telecom represents private landlords, commercial real estate owners, municipalities, and anyone else who receives rent or has been approached for a lease opportunity by a carrier or tower company. We are focused on providing landlords the best opportunity to maximize the value of their Cell Tower Lease Agreement.

If you receive rent for a cell tower or rooftop antenna on your property, Main Stream Telecom is interested in speaking to you. Our goal is to provide solid advice involving any and all issues associated with cell tower leases including lease negotiation, re-negotiation, landlord tenant disputes, lease buyouts and general lease administration.

We will listen to your needs and evaluate your situation in a 100% FREE consultation. Following our fully complimentary, no-obligation consultation, one of our experienced lease consultants will help you to understand the true value of your lease or potential new lease agreement.


MST doesn’t nickel and dime you with an hourly rate.

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