The Franklin Town Council recently approved an amendment to the Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance that may help improve internet service within the town limits.
The ordinance now allows broadband access points that can be placed on top of buildings in town. The amendment came about after BalsamWest requested to put a tower on the roof of the Lazy Hiker.
The towers are not what one typically envisions as a telecommunications tower and can only extend 25 feet from the base. A similar service tower is already installed on the roof of the courthouse.
Jason Maples, BalsamWest vice president of sales and marketing, said the access points will allow the company to fill in gaps in the internet coverage area.
“It’s basically fiber-like service, delivered wirelessly,” said Maples. He said access points of this type are less costly and less time consuming for BalsamWest to install. “It’s easier to deploy and gets people connected quicker.”
The amendment change opens the opportunity for BalsamWest and other providers to install additional towers throughout town. The town will review applications for additional towers. Maples said once everything is approved the tower could be in service within three months.
The small towers can improve internet accessibility while minimizing the impact on aesthetics within town and reducing the need for larger antenna-supporting structure. The broadband service towers will be allowed only in areas zoned C-2 (secondary commercial), C-3 (highway commercial) and I-1 (industrial).
The amendment states the towers “shall be located, designed and/or screened to blend in with the existing natural or built surrounding to deduce the visual impacts as much as possible, and to be compatible with neighboring land uses and the character of the community.”
“This is something that is catching on in other counties,” town attorney John Henning Jr. said at the Town Council meeting. “There is going to be an increasing demand for this kind of thing.”
The town Planning Board first heard the request at its November meeting and asked for additional information before moving forward. The Planning Board then approved the proposed amendment at the January meeting, forwarding it to the Town Council for final approval. The council held a public hearing on the issue during the March 7 meeting, followed by a unanimous vote to approve it.
Broadband Survey
Maples encourages people to take the broadband survey to help state government, local leaders and broadband providers better understand where service is needed.
“We need the data to serve under-served areas,” he said. He knows people are anxious to get service. “People are going to get broadband, it is just a matter of time.
The five-minute survey is available online in English or Spanish. Visit ncbroadband.gov and click the “Broadband Survey” in the menu. Residents without internet service but with phones capable of text messaging can text “internet” to 919-750-0553. Standard text messaging rates will apply. Residents with landlines or cellphones that do not have texting capability may place a voice call to 919-750-0553.