Wireless Facility Engineering Review

Transcription

1 Page 1 of 7 Wireless Facility Engineering Review AT&T Application for Site (CNU 4989) 2095 Rose Street, Berkeley, CA 2/18/2013 RCC Consultants, Inc. Western Regional Office 266 E. 33 rd Street, San Bernardino, CA Tel, Fax

2 Page 2 of 7 AT&T Application for Site (CNU 4989) 2095 Rose Street, Berkeley, CA RCC Consultants, Inc. has been engaged by the City of Berkeley to conduct a peer review, consistent with recognized industry standard practices, of the proposal from AT&T to construct and operate a new wireless base station facility at 2095 Rose Street, Berkeley, CA. RCC has performed many similar peer reviews for municipal clients throughout the US, including several in the San Francisco Bay area. Surrounding Environment The proposed site is two story commercial building, located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Rose Street and Shattuck Avenue. Figure 1, below, provides an aerial view of the surrounding area. The building currently contains a T Mobile wireless facility. Durant Avenue 2065 Rose St Figure 1 Aerial View of the Vicinity RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 2

3 Page 3 of 7 Background AT&T is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate in portions of the PCS (1950 MHz), Cellular (870 MHz), and LTE (700 MHz) frequency bands. ATT commonly deploys three different technologies in its wireless infrastructure: GSM, UMTS and, most recently, LTE to deliver voice and data services. LTE is the new international standard for 4 th generation wireless services (4G). This application is for the construction and operation of a new AT&T wireless facility, collocated with an existing T Mobile facility, to support services in these frequency bands using the technologies stated. Details are provided below. Proposed Site Configuration The applicant has proposed to install antenna systems and equipment at the existing building. Specifically ATT is proposing to: 1. Install a total of twelve (12) antennas in three sectors and ancillary equipment for GSM, UMTS and LTE services: Eight (8) antennas, comprising Sectors A and C, will be housed within four radomes, each containing two antennas. Sector A antennas are oriented at 20, while Sector C antennas are oriented at 140. The proposed antenna height is 37 above ground level to the center line of the antenna. Four (4) antennas, comprising Sector B, will be housed within four radomes, each containing one antenna. Sector B antennas are oriented at 260. The proposed antenna height is 37 above ground level to the center line of the antenna. 2. Each antenna is a Kathrein Model K, broadband antenna with dimensions of 78.3 H x 11.8 W x 6 D. 3. Equipment cabinets and smaller, miscellaneous equipment boxes are to be located in a dedicated equipment area adjacent to the rear of the building. RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 3

4 Page 4 of 7 Antenna Sector B at 260 Existing T Mobile Antennas Antenna Sectors A at 20 and C at 140 Figure 2 Antenna Installation Locations Methodology In conducting a peer review, RCC reviews and analyzes site application documents against wireless industry standards and best practices. In this case, RCC considered the application and supplemental materials submitted by AT&T, including the plans by Streamline Engineering, dated July 17, 2012, the RF report by Hammett and Edison, Inc., dated June 12, 2012, and the coverage maps, dated November 16, The coverage maps depict the modeled existing coverage from adjacent sites, and the combined planned coverage, including the new site (marked as Figures 3, and 4, respectively). RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 4

5 Page 5 of Rose Street Figure 3 Modeled Existing Coverage from Adjacent Sites (3G) 2065 Rose Street Figure 4 Modeled Post Implementation Coverage (3G) RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 5

6 Page 6 of 7 Justification for the Site Modification AT&T has stated that the design objective for this site is to eliminate a service gap in its wireless services, particularly in building and in transit. The specific coverage gap is defined as the area roughly bounded by Eunice Street to the north, Vine Street to the south, Grant Street to the west and Euclid Avenue to the east. Existing AT&T site CNU 4552, located approximately three blocks south of the proposed site, does not provide sufficient signal levels to service the intended target area with reliable in building and in transit coverage. (See Figure 3.) The design objective for most wireless carriers serving areas such as this is to achieve reliable inbuilding coverage. It is RCC s opinion that, based on the information provided, AT&T has demonstrated a coverage gap in its network in the area in terms of in transit and in building service, and that this gap will be substantially mitigated by the activation of services from the proposed site. Alternatives AT&T provided a brief analysis of several alternative sites it has considered, including: Alternative 2: 1400 Shattuck Avenue Alternative 3: 1444 Shattuck Avenue. Alternative 4: 1451 Shattuck Avenue Alternative 5: 1401 Walnut Street Alternative 6: 1475 Shattuck Avenue The report did not contain sufficient information for RCC to analyze and render an opinion as to the technical feasibility of these alternative sites. However, it can be stated that single story buildings would require an elevated antenna supporting structure to provide substantially equivalent levels of coverage as that offered by the proposed location. Radio Frequency Emissions Safety RCC has reviewed the report prepared by Hammett and Edison, Inc. on behalf of AT&T, dated June 12, 2012, and concurs with its conclusion that the proposed antenna installation, with implementation of the recommended warning signage, will comply with the Federal RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 6

7 Page 7 of 7 Communications Commission s guidelines for radio frequency emissions exposure as detailed in their Office of Engineering & Technology Bulletin No. 65, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields, August 1997 ( OET Bulletin 65 ). Based on the OET Bulletin 65, the Maximum Permissible Exposure ( MPE ) for the general population/uncontrolled exposure is 0.47 milli Watt perr square centimeter (mw/cm²) in the 7000 MHz band (LTE), 0.58 milli Watt per square centimeter (mw/cm²) in the Cellular spectrum, and 1 mw/cm² in the PCS spectrum. Permissiblee levels for exposure under occupational conditions, such as may be encountered byy maintenance personnel, are five times higher. Exposure levels may exceed the guidelines for personnel working att elevated locations above the roof within approximately 111 feet in front of the antennas. Therefore, Hammett and Edison recommends, and RCC concurs, that appropriate warning signs be placed at rooftop access doors and at the antenna locations to comply with FCC guidelines. Summary & Conclusion RCC Consultants, Inc. is of the opinion that: Based on the coverage prediction maps provided, AT&T has demonstrated a gap in in transit and in building coverage in the subject area which would be substantially mitigated by implementation of the proposed wireless facility. The proposed design is considered reasonable and consistent with industry best practices to fill coverage gaps in areas similar to the subject target area. The proposed installationn will meet Federal Communicationss Commission guidelines pertaining to radio frequency emissions exposure to the general public. Appropriate warning signage is required at the roof access doors and antenna mounting locations. Date: February 18, 2013 Dieter J. Preiser, PMP RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 7