LAS VEGAS- According to a new tower owner survey conducted by Fryer’s TowerSource, third-generation wireless Web users account for 5 percent of all tower site users, which is up from zero percent in 1998.
This, according to the survey, is the “most significant difference,” in survey results from 1998 showing that third-generation wireless Web users are the fastest-growing segment of the industry.
The survey showed a 10-percent drop in cellular/PCS users, from 41 percent in 1998 to 31 percent this year. Paging, microwave and two-way communications showed little change from 1998, with paging at 21 percent, microwave at 10 percent and two-way at 25 percent this year.
The survey results, which include about 600 small- to medium-sized tower owners, were released last week at the Tower Summit & Trade Show in Las Vegas, sponsored by Shorecliff Communications Inc. and RCR Wireless News.
According to the survey, the tower market’s rapid growth is due to a variety of factors, including increased demand, better tower valuation and easier financing.
The survey pointed to one of the 12 questions, in which 73 percent of respondents said they planned on building more towers, which is up from 61 percent in 1998. The survey said this shows the rising demand for towers and the positive market owners face.
In addition, owners now hold an average of 21 towers, up from 15 in 1998, the survey said. The survey’s analysis points to an increase in “mom-and-pop” tower owners for the rising number of towers.
The average rental rate per month increased from $682 to $1,013, according to the survey, and is due to increased market sophistication in rural areas and increased costs of operation.
According to the survey, the number of tower tenants increased to 3.5, up from 2.75 in 1998.
In other findings 53 percent of those questioned said they would not sell their sites. This is up from 48 percent in 1998.
Fryer’s TowerSource provides listings of tower locations and tower market reports.
