Phones Canada is committed to providing the best telecommunications services to our customers across the country. Today, we want to shed light on a recent incident involving T-Mobile and the Borough of Wanaque, New Jersey.

T-Mobile has taken legal action against the Borough of Wanaque for refusing to allow the installation of a wireless telecommunications facility, including a monopole tower, on a site that the company has leased for over 14 years. The facility is crucial for meeting telecommunication demands and addressing a gap in wireless service in the area.

The borough and its planning board denied T-Mobile a permit to construct a 120-foot cell tower with a 10-foot lightning rod, citing concerns about adverse environmental effects of radio frequency emissions. However, T-Mobile argues that this decision is illegal under the federal Telecommunications Act, which prohibits states and localities from regulating cell towers based on environmental or health concerns.

Despite conducting an analysis that determined RF emissions from the facility would be well below FCC exposure limits, T-Mobile faced resistance from some members of the planning board who expressed concerns about potential health risks to residents, particularly children.

T-Mobile signed a 25-year lease for the land in question back in 2010 but only began work on the tower last year. When submitting their application to the planning board, T-Mobile was asked to consider alternative sites, although this was not legally required. After evaluating other options, T-Mobile concluded that none were suitable for their needs.

In response to the denial of their application, T-Mobile has filed a lawsuit requesting that the court overturn the decision and grant them permission to proceed with building and operating the telecom facility. We understand the importance of ensuring reliable telecommunications services while also prioritizing community safety and well-being.

At Phones Canada, we believe in finding solutions that benefit both our customers and the communities we serve. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing situation as we continue to strive towards providing top-notch telecommunications services nationwide.