| As we move further into the 21st century and | | | | tower survey is done in a manner that is |
| nearly everything becomes wireless, it becomes | | | | standardized across the nation. ALTA surveying |
| necessary to send more and more information | | | | standards are created by the American Land Title |
| across cell phone towers. Although you probably | | | | Association. After an ALTA survey is conducted |
| take for granted the freedom you get from the | | | | on any parcel of land, title insurance companies |
| presence of cell phone towers, cell phone towers | | | | feel comfortable insuring the land, and the cell |
| are actually very important to our daily lives. Just | | | | tower owner can be sure of the boundaries and |
| imagine what would happen without them. You | | | | other aspects governing the ownership of the |
| have surely encountered an area where you just | | | | land. |
| can't get a signal on your cell phone. Although | | | | A cell phone ALTA survey usually includes a |
| these areas are growing smaller and smaller as | | | | boundary survey, which shows the boundaries of |
| more cell phone towers are built, some areas | | | | the tower and its associated land parcel, in |
| simply do not have cell phone tower coverage | | | | addition to information on easements, or the right |
| yet. | | | | to cross the cell tower land. These easements |
| Few people realize the work and planning that | | | | may be granted to utility companies, local |
| goes into the building of a new cell phone tower | | | | governments, neighboring landowners, or others |
| to increase coverage in busy areas or provide | | | | with an interest in the property on which the cell |
| coverage in "dead zones" where calls are dropped. | | | | tower is located. This survey examines all legal |
| Though land surveying is a very old profession, it | | | | descriptions for access and utilities on the tower |
| plays a crucial role in the development of | | | | itself and the surrounding land associated with the |
| communications networks. Land surveying is a | | | | tower. A cell tower ALTA survey also shows the |
| critical part of the process of building and | | | | tower itself and any adjacent improvements to |
| maintaining a cell tower. In fact, several different | | | | the land. |
| survey types may be involved with this process. | | | | Cell tower ALTA surveys may be completed |
| Among the most common is a cell tower ALTA | | | | when the cell company is considering replacing or |
| survey. The survey may be requested by | | | | rebuilding an existing tower, such as the case with |
| government officials or cellular telecommunications | | | | towers using outdated technology. Such a survey |
| companies. | | | | may also prove useful if there is a dispute over |
| The tower ALTA survey is generally used to | | | | the land on which the cell tower sits, such as if a |
| survey an existing cell tower rather than the area | | | | neighboring landowner has made improvements to |
| being considered for a new tower. The ALTA | | | | the land too close to the tower in the belief that |
| survey is specifically done to meet ALTA/ACSM | | | | they have rights to the land. An ALTA survey is |
| standards, meaning that it is a standardized | | | | generally required for the sale of commercial |
| survey conducted by certified land surveyors. | | | | properties, such as if the cell tower is changing |
| These are among the highest standards in land | | | | hands. |
| surveying today, and ensure that the cell phone | | | | |