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Home My WebLink AboutMemo - Mail Packet - 09/16/2025 - Memorandum from Kai Kleer re Cell Service Issues and Proposed Next Steps 1 Memorandum Date: September 11, 2025 To: Mayor and City Councilmembers Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager Denzel Maxwell, Assistant City Manager Caryn Champine, PDT Service Area Director From: Kai Kleer, Senior City Planner, Community Development & Neighborhood Services, kkleer@fcgov.com Subject: Cell Service Issues and Proposed Next Steps This memorandum outlines the contributing factors to persistent cellular service issues in Fort Collins, provides background on key challenges, highlights recent developments, and proposes steps to further the conversation in addressing coverage gaps. Wireless connectivity operates primarily on a line-of-sight basis, with larger towers providing coverage and small cell towers along streets addressing capacity needs. Despite the approval of over 250 small cell towers, many of which have been constructed, and ongoing large facility developments, such as the recent replacement tower at Scotch Pines Shopping Center, coverage gaps persist due to ever- increasing demand and wireless industry’s lagging investments into city-wide infrastructure. Background Residents and businesses in Fort Collins continue to report issues with dropped calls, slow data speeds, and coverage gaps, particularly in Southeast Fort Collins, Northwest Fort Collins, Maple Hill, Downtown, and areas near Horsetooth and Shields. These deficiencies affect public safety, education, and economic activity. The City identifies the following major challenges contributing to these problems:  Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) Policy Change. Between 2000 and 2005, PRPA permitted cellular antennas "above the wires" on high-elevation transmission towers (exceeding 100 feet). A 2016 policy shift prioritizing system reliability prohibited lease renewals, with the final lease that expired in 2024. PRPA now allows only "below the wires" installations, which are less appealing to providers due to reduced heights. Consequently, Docusign Envelope ID: E5F6CEDC-7FEC-4D94-A771-79B268453FCC 2 providers have pursued installations on private property, which are constrained by community-supported aesthetic regulations which often yield less height.  Poudre School District (PSD) Policy Restrictions. Community concerns regarding radio frequency exposure to children prompted PSD to prohibit new cellular facilities on school property and allow existing leases to expire. Efforts to explore taller ball field lights as alternatives are in progress, with anticipated policy updates within one to two months.  Shifts in Geographic Demand. The transition to remote work following the pandemic has redistributed wireless demand, increasing usage in residential areas and straining infrastructure originally designed for neighborhood commercial centers.  Increased Wireless Data Consumption. Growing dependance on mobile devices for streaming, remote work, and smart applications has overwhelmed existing infrastructure. The J.D. Power (2025) U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study indicates a 40- minute increase in average daily device usage during the first half of 2025 compared to 2024. Network capacity, rather than mere connectivity, emerges as a primary limiting factor. Data consumption source: Ericsson. (2025). Mobile traffic forecasts. https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/mobility-report/dataforecasts/mobile-traffic- forecast Recent City Actions Following the adoption of the Wireless Telecommunications Master Plan in 2021, the City has updated standards to respond to community aesthetic preferences while balancing the industry technical requirements and has streamlined the application process for facility expansions and small cell infrastructure. The City’s current wireless application tracking system indicates over 250 approved small cell facilities (see attached), with many constructed, alongside much smaller ongoing expansion of existing larger facilities (City of Fort Collins Engineering Services, September 2025). The following is an implementation summary of key recommendations from the Wireless Master Plan and a more recent media campaign that was done in collaboration with the help of Police Services.  In a 2024 media campaign the City advertised the Federal Communication Commission’s new tool to run speed tests and submit complaints for poor network performance. The speed test application provides direct feedback to the FCC and requires providers to respond and Docusign Envelope ID: E5F6CEDC-7FEC-4D94-A771-79B268453FCC 3 prove that their service meets minimum upload and download speed requirements. If they cannot prove adequate speeds are being provided, they are required to fix the poor performance quality. Anecdotally, since the media campaign, the City has seen an uptick in wireless facility applications.  In 2023 the City passed an ordinance to provide a process incentive for roof or wall mounted installations. The review type for this type of equipment is now reduced to a Basic Development Review (administrative) in all zones except Downtown, which results in quicker processing and less application fees.  In 2023, the City updated the Land Use Code to comply with Federal and State timing requirements, harmonized language with the Federal Communication Commission, and created new application types developed in an effort to reduce confusion and streamline reviews.  In 2022, the City updated wireless policy updated to permit wireless infrastructure in public parks and golf courses with existing vertical elements (e.g., ballfield lights), requiring context-appropriate design; buildings and natural areas excluded. Since that time, the City has received a single request to allow for equipment upgrades to an existing City Park facility. Combined, these implementation items have helped make the City’s process less burdensome, more predictable, however, it’s unknown if it’s incentivized more wireless facility construction. Staff’s understanding is that infrastructure deployment is often constrained by corporate budget cycles and industry strategy. Staff does believe that network performance complaints filed with the FCC paired with additional process measures has helped partially mitigate community concerns. Next Steps City staff will continue to prioritize efficiency in the review process while fostering collaboration with wireless providers. As is customary, City staff will maintain an ongoing dialogue with industry applicants, integrating feedback to refine operations, update codes, and address concerns. Given the ongoing network performance issues affecting the community and the Police Services emergency response system, City Council may consider convening a work session with providers by extending formal invitations to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. This session could Docusign Envelope ID: E5F6CEDC-7FEC-4D94-A771-79B268453FCC 4 aim to better understand the state of the industry, affirm the industry’s commitment to enhancing the community’s wireless infrastructure, discuss public safety concerns, and explore possible opportunities for collaboration. Conclusion Problematic cell service in Fort Collins, as evidenced by community feedback and the Wireless Telecommunications Master Plan, results from PRPA and PSD policy restrictions, lease expirations, and surging data demands. Although Verizon’s 5G investments and relaxed zoning regulations have provided some relief, coverage gaps persist due to reliance on private providers’ investment cycles and the limited number of service providers (Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T). These gaps can be strategically addressed through thoughtful and deliberate dialogue and action with the City’s wireless providers. Attachments 1. Attachment A – Small Cell Permit Map, September 2025 Please direct questions or feedback to the City of Fort Collins Planning Services Department. Docusign Envelope ID: E5F6CEDC-7FEC-4D94-A771-79B268453FCC 100,553 16,758.8 FCMaps This map is a user generated static output from the City of Fort Collins FCMaps Internet mapping site and is for reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable. 76,398 City of Fort Collins - GIS 12,733.0 1: WGS_1984_Web_Mercator_Auxiliary_Sphere Feet12,733.006,366.50 Notes Legend Small Cell Map Location Under Review Permit In Review Permit Issued Permit Denied Docusign Envelope ID: E5F6CEDC-7FEC-4D94-A771-79B268453FCC