Landowners have discovered a lucrative income in building and leasing cellular towers on their properties. Building owners can locate rooftop antennas on the tops of their buildings for additional lease income. Churches can have towers built inside their steeples - another way to support their ministries.
Often you won't even know you're looking at a cell tower, since they can look like sculpture, palm trees, and yes, even church steeples.
Phone Companies are Trimming Expenses
Now that cell phone companies are merging, they are looking to trim down expenditures on excess cell towers. One of the stated goals of the Cingular / AT&T merger is to reduce their 50,000 cell tower sites by approximately 20%.
If you are a cell tower owner, you may have received a letter from an organization representing a cell phone company offering a short guarantee on the lease. In exchange, you are required to reduce the cell tower rent by 30-75% and agree to not increase the lease over time. Sometimes they will offer to "buy" 15 years of the lease for around 5 years' worth of rent.
Unfortunately, if you are not willing to comply, you face the threat of termination of the lease and loss of all revenue from your wireless cell tower. Sometimes this is a real threat, if they have too many cell towers in your area. At other times it's bluff, trying to get reduced rent on a site. Because the companies are using third parties, are working from a call center off a script, it's hard for a tower owner to get real information about what's going on.
If you're a wireless tower landlord, and you need help find a cell phone company to lease your tower, or you've discovered you have to renegotiate your lease, you need to belong to the Wireless Landlord Association. We will promote your cell tower free of charge, and help you securitize your lease.
Basic membership to the Wireless Landlord Association is free. Our cell tower landlords' advocacy group includes experienced industry experts and legal professionals, and provides a powerful resource for you.
Services and Resources for Tower Owners
We offer many services for cell tower owners, including:
Site Promotion
Let us leverage our contacts and relationship with the major carriers to market your properties for you and bring you new lease opportunities.
Rent Continuation
Learn how we can take over your lease at the exact same financial terms and conditions in the event of a tenant cancellation.
Wireless Lease Audit & Appraisal
Our experts will review your lease and provide recommendations for renewal terms to ensure you're earning the highest rent possible.
Lease Management & Negotiation
We can use our expertise to your advantage and manage all negotiations and tenant communications for you.
Resources the WLA offers include:
Articles
If you're interested in cell tower land leases, you can learn more about the wireless industry.
Newsletters
As a member of the WLA, you'll receive our monthly newsletter that covers current issues and new developments in the industry.
Lease Calculator
Use our interactive calculator to see the financial benefits of becoming a WLA member.
If you are a cell phone tower owner, be sure to visit our website. Registration for membership is easy and free, and you can take advantage of our valuable services and resources.
