The Ohio Department of Transportation and
representatives from the wireless communications industry have
established a partnership to expand wireless communication
services generating additional revenues for Ohio's transportation
system. AirTouch Cellular, AT&T Wireless
Services and GTE Mobilnet entered into a master license agreement
with ODOT on July 1, 1997 for the construction of wireless
communication towers along state highways and at ODOT facilities.
Ameritech Wireless Communications, SprintCom Inc., Nextel West
Inc., and Northcoast Communications have also entered into master
license agreements with ODOT.
"This public-private partnership with
the wireless telecommunications industry provides alternatives to locating
private cellular towers within communities and residential neighborhoods,
while yielding significant revenues to further the maintenance and
development of the highway system," said ODOT Director Gordon Proctor .
"ODOT and other state agencies will additionally benefit through the
use of such towers for their own communications requirements."
Tower construction costs will be paid
entirely by the wireless communications providers. The carrier is also
required to negotiate or make good faith efforts to share the site with
another wireless provider. Co-location is designed to reduce the number of
towers erected along the highway. It also creates better wireless services
for consumers by increasing industry competition. |
