Welcome to River Oaks
Formed in 1987, River Oaks Communications Corporation (“River Oaks”) has had a wide variety of local government clients throughout the United States and has a proven track record of providing Strategic Consulting and Team Management Services which produce effective results. Our clientele has included large metropolitan, midsize and rural communities. We have worked on telecommunications, wireless, cable television or broadband projects in 38 states and Puerto Rico.
Small Cells – Gateway to the Future and 5G
Small Cells include 50′ towers, poles, antennas, equipment cabinets, fiber optic cable and a power source. Typically, the antennas are placed on poles in Rights-of-Way (ROW). They add capacity to the Providers’ Networks that’s needed to accommodate huge data usage (pictures, live tv, etc.)
Small Cells are being regulated at the Federal, State and Local levels. The FCC has capped the amounts local governments can charge the providers for the placement of small cells in your ROWs unless you do a Cost Study. For further information with respect to issues facing Local Governments regarding Small Cells, we offer a PowerPoint Presentation upon request which highlights several important issues.
Manage your Rights-of-Way, get the revenues and protect your property.
Smart Cities
A Smart City is a City that uses Technological Innovation, like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Data, to maximize infrastructure and services for its residents and visitors. Key Stakeholders in the development of a Smart City include for example residents, city governments, schools, utilities, healthcare, transportation and transit agencies and broadband providers.
Some of the potential benefits of a Smart City include Public WiFi, transportation improvements (less congestion and pollution), public safety (crime prevention and security cameras), energy conservation through LED Lighting and enhancing the vibrancy of the City/downtown corridor.
Wireless Ordinances
Many Wireless Codes are out of date. Starting in 2012 Congress made it easier for cell phone companies to modify existing towers and base stations. If they ask for what constitutes an Eligible Facilities Request (Collocation, removal, or replacement of transmission equipment), municipalities have to act within 60 days after application submission or the request may be deemed granted.
In September, 2018, the FCC issued an Order that further favored the Industry. That Order includes five different shot clocks for municipal action and limits the amount of compensation that a City can charge for use of its rights-of-way. That Order was largely affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
More than 25 States have passed Small Cell legislation. We have been actively working with Municipal Leagues around the country to help their member cities understand the impact of State and Federal rules.
The best course of action is to be proactive and update your City/County Zoning Code.
Wireless Leases
Starting Point –
It’s your tower, land or building-
The Lease is going to contain terms including rent, length, property description, insurance, and indemnification. Will that Lease negatively impact your property value?
How will you know what they left out? The answer is unless you have experience in this area, you won’t. So find someone who is knowledgeable and can protect your interest.
Think of it this way – even an extra $100/mo in rent for 25 years adds up to $30,000.
Cable Television Franchising
In many states, cable companies still need local franchises. Those are lengthy, complicated agreements. Another FCC Order gives Cable Companies the right to reduce Franchise Fees by the amount of free Cable Services they were providing to City Buildings, Schools and Libraries. That Order is controversial and being litigated.
Call to Action. Given our successful experience in working with local governments in the wireless, broadband, cable and telecommunications arenas, we are uniquely qualified to understand the evolving 5G environment and know how to represent the rights of municipalities- especially in the ever-changing Federal landscape.