Crown Castle Announces Distributed Antenna System In Paradise Valley, Arizona

HOUSTON, March 30, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI) today announced that one of its subsidiaries has completed construction of a distributed antenna system (DAS) to facilitate wireless communications services in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The community near Phoenix approved a DAS wireless solution in order to provide enhanced wireless coverage, preserve the town's aesthetics, and accommodate multiple wireless carriers. The Paradise Valley DAS network provides wireless coverage for residents and first responders throughout the 16 square mile community.  AT&T Mobility is the first wireless provider to utilize the DAS network, and the network has the capacity to support up to four additional carriers.

Working with town leaders and citizens, Crown Castle designed and constructed a forty-two node outdoor DAS system for the town. The system utilizes three streetlights, two traffic signals, and thirty-seven faux cacti to conceal wireless antennae and equipment. 

"Crown Castle worked closely with the town council and residents to develop a wireless solution that would satisfy coverage demands and preserve the aesthetics of Paradise Valley," stated Mike Kavanagh, President – DAS for Crown Castle. "Crown Castle invested a lot of time in public outreach in order to educate residents about DAS and to collect their input on what the system's components should look like and where they should be located. As a result of the public outreach campaign, the town leaders approved the DAS network, allowing construction to begin without delay."

"Our town government is dedicated to preserving the residential character of the community.  The town's residents expect ubiquitous wireless service, but not at the expense of changing the peaceful, quiet surroundings of the town," said Scott LeMarr, Mayor of Paradise Valley. "With Crown Castle we found a company that recognized the special character of our town and that developed a design solution that preserved the town's aesthetics while providing great wireless coverage."