New cell tower near Osoyoos shorter than one it’s replacing
Regional district board approves new tower that will serve Telus, Bell customers in area
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has approved the replacement of a wireless communications facility outside Osoyoos.
The single-pole cell tower, or monopole, is set to replace the existing facility at 4804 33 St., moving just 225 metres to 4204 33 St.
The tower is critical to maintaining wireless service to Telus users in the area, according to the company. Telus also has a sharing agreement with Bell, which may lead to Bell users benefiting from the tower as well.
As a result of the public consultation process, Telus reduced the height of the pole from 18 metres to 15 — roughly the same height as the existing hydro poles along 33rd Street.
“There were a number of people upset about having the pole moved and the increase in height,” said Osoyoos Mayor and RDOS director Sue McKortoff.
“To me, it’s a positive move that (Telus) has listened.”
“I think we ought to be careful. We fought to have the tower removed from Upper Carmi,” said Area D director Tom Siddon, who nonetheless voted in favour of providing a letter of support to Industry Canada, which has the final say on the matter.
He also questioned the electromagnetic radiation coming off of cellphone towers, a concern that was dismissed by an expert who appeared before the board.
“You’re getting more energy off your home Wi-Fi than you would be from this tower,” said Chad Marlatt, a consultant for Cypress Land Services speaking to the technical aspects of the cell tower.
“We’ve done them in front of schools, little installations. We’ve done studies, the analysis (being) that the actual Wi-Fi in the school is stronger than any energy that’s coming from this.”
RDOS chief administrative officer Bill Newell noted the tower is beneficial for the regional district as well, adding to emergency telecommunication networks. “It’s better than us putting up our own,” he said. The new pole is approximately 116 metres east of the Town of Osoyoos boundary, and the old pole will be demolished.