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HomeMy WebLinkAboutT-MOBILE WTF, 1108 W. VINE DR. - PDP - PDP110013 - REPORTS - CORRESPONDENCE-HEARING (3)CANISTER ISSUES Canisters work fairly well for a PCS only carrier (such as Sprint, T-Mobile, Cricket and formerly Qwest). PCS can operate with only one antenna per sector, and because the PCS frequencies are relatively high, the antennas are narrower. This allows them to fit somewhat easily in canisters as small as 18". The PCS carriers began offering these everywhere back in the 90's. The problem is that Verizon Wireless has not only a PCS spectrum, but we also have Cellular, and in most areas 2 blocks of LTE. We can combine 1 LTE block and Cellular together on one antenna. We can also combine PCS and LTE on to one dual -band antenna. This brings us down to 2 cross -pole antennas per sector. As of now, we don't have a way to go below 2 antennas per sector. Also, being at a lower frequency than PCS, the Cellular and LTE antennas are wider, making it much harder to squeeze into an 18" canister. Here are some drawbacks to canisters, and to making the above compromises: PCS works better with 2 antennas separated by 4 or more horizontal feet, instead of 1 cross -pole antenna (less coverage, slower data rates). Cellular works better with 2 antennas separated by 8 or more horizontal feet, instead of 1 cross -pole antenna. Mechanical tilt cannot be added to antennas in a canister. The orientations of the sectors in a canister must be 120 degrees apart which limits a useful tool in optimization of the network. (Optimal azimuths) Antennas in canisters are screened, which adds RF losses. If we combine LTE and Cellular on to one antenna, optimization cannot be done separately If we combine LTE and PCS on to one antenna, optimization cannot be done separately. All of these compromises degrade our system, and result in poorer service, more drops and slower throughput. This can also lead to VZW needing more sites, especially when you take into account the fact that often the canister sites are lower in height, particularly if our antennas must be lower on the pole. To obtain the best coverage and capacity, we need a tower with a height of at least 70', with 3 sectors each with 6 antennas (2 Cellular, 2 PCS and 2 LTE).