Towers
All over the country, cellular phone companies are seeking out governmental and civic organizations who have a desirable site and are willing to make a deal. The Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996 encourages expansion of the wireless networks. The FCC projects that by the year 2006 there will be 120,000 antennas nationwide. In 1997 there were 40,000. Cell towers have been deemed "inherently beneficial" by the courts and therefore are not always required to abide by local zoning ordinances. Although many people are concerned about the potential health hazard of the microwave emissions from these towers, federal law prevents local governments from using health concerns as a reason for prohibiting them. Hopefully, future technology will allow for less visible, less intrusive, and less risky wireless communications, and the industry will become more sensitive to the public's concerns about negative health effects.
Sprint drops
Ringwood tower plans; West Milford tower also opposed