Wireless Facility Engineering Review - Berkeley, California...Wireless Facility Engineering Review ... recently, LTE to deliver voice and data services. This application is for the

Wireless Facility Engineering Review

AT&T Application for Site (CNU 4216) 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA

Dieter J. Preiser, PMP 9/2/2012

RCC Consultants, Inc. ‐ Western Regional Office 266 E. 33rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92404 909.881.0250 Tel, 909.881.8979 Fax

RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 2

AT&T Application for Site (CNU4216) 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA

RCC Consultants, Inc. has been engaged by the City of Berkeley to conduct a peer review,

consistent with recognized industry standard practices, of the proposal from AT&T to construct

and operate a new wireless base station facility at 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA. RCC has

performed many similar peer reviews for municipal clients throughout the US, including several

in the San Francisco Bay area.

This report supersedes, RCC’s previous report for this location, dated December 12, 2012, as

AT&T has modified the proposed antenna locations on the subject building.

Surrounding Environment

The proposed site is the Oaks Theater, located on the north side of Solano Avenue between The

Alameda and Colusa Avenue in a commercial zone. A residential neighborhood is located

immediately to the north of the property.

Durant Avenue


Figure 1 ‐ Aerial View of the Vicinity

Background

AT&T is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate in portions of the PCS

(1950 MHz), Cellular (870 MHz), AWS (1730/2130 MHz) and LTE (700 MHz) frequency bands.

ATT deploys three different technologies in its wireless infrastructure: GSM, UMTS and, most

recently, LTE to deliver voice and data services. This application is for the construction and

operation of a new wireless facility to support services in these frequency bands using the

technologies stated. Details are provided below.

Proposed Site Configuration

The applicant has proposed to install antenna systems and equipment in the existing building.

Specifically ATT is proposing to:

1. Install a total of twelve (12) antennas in three sectors and ancillary equipment for GSM,

UMTS and LTE services:

1861 Solano Avenue


• Sector A – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 60° at a height above ground of

47’‐1” to the center line.

• Sector B – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 250° at a height above ground

of 47’‐1” to the center line.

• Sector C – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 160° at a height above ground


These antennas will be installed at or below parapet height within fiberglass

reinforced panel screens painted to match the existing building color.

2. Each antenna is a Powerwave Model P65‐15‐XLH‐RR broadband antenna with

dimensions of 51”H x 12”W x 6”D.

3. Twelve equipment cabinets and smaller, miscellaneous equipment boxes will be located

on a raised platform in a designated area of 8’‐2” x 36’‐0” within the stairwell of the

building.

Figure 2 – Antenna Installation Locations

Antenna Sector C at 160 degrees

Antenna Sector B at 260 degrees

Antenna Sector A at 60 degrees


Methodology

In conducting a peer review, RCC reviews and analyzes site application documents against

wireless industry standards and best practices. In this case, RCC considered the application

and supplemental materials submitted by AT&T, including the plans by Steamline Engineering,

dated January 16, 2012, the RF report by Hammett and Edison, Inc., dated May 2, 2012, and the

coverage maps and field tests data, dated July 9, 2012. The coverage maps depict the modeled

coverage from adjacent sites, and the combined modeled area coverage including the new site

(marked as Figures 3, and 4, respectively).

Figure 3 – Modeled Existing Coverage at 850 MHz from Adjacent Sites

1861 Solano Avenue


Figure 4 – Modeled Post‐Implementation Coverage at 850 MHz

Justification for the Site Modification

AT&T has stated that the design objective for this site is to eliminate a coverage gap that exists

in the area surrounding Solano Avenue/Contra Costa Avenue, in particular as it relates to in‐

building coverage. Although substantial outdoor coverage exists as indicated by the blue

shaded area in Figure 3, the adjacent six existing sites are too far removed from the intended

coverage area to provide reliable in‐transit and in‐building coverage. AT&T also submitted

actual drive test and call failure data that supports the contention of a network gap in the

subject area. It is RCC’s opinion that AT&T has demonstrated a coverage gap in its network in

the area in terms of in‐transit and in‐building service, and that this gap will be substantially

mitigated by the activation of service from the subject site.

1861 Solano Avenue


Alternatives

AT&T had previously provided an analysis of three alternative sites it has considered, including:

• Alternative 1: 1760 Solano Avenue

• Alternative 2: 1820 Solano Ave.

• Alternative 3: 1850 Solano Ave.

None of these were found to be suitable. (See RCC’s previous report, dated December 12,

2011.)

Radio Frequency Emissions Safety

RCC has reviewed the report prepared by Hammett and Edison, Inc. on behave of AT&T, dated

May 2, 2012, and concurs with its conclusion that the proposed antenna installation will comply

with the Federal Communications Commission’s guidelines for radio frequency emissions

exposure as detailed in their Office of Engineering & Technology Bulletin No. 65, “Evaluating

Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic

Fields,” August 1997 (“OET Bulletin 65”). Based on the OET Bulletin 65, the Maximum

Permissible Exposure (“MPE”) for the general population/uncontrolled exposure is 0.47 milli‐

Watt per square centimeter (mW/cm²) in the 700 MHz band (LTE), 0.58 milli‐Watt per square

centimeter (mW/cm²) in the Cellular spectrum, and 1 mW/cm² in the PCS and AWS spectrum.

Permissible levels for exposure under occupational conditions, such as may be encountered by

maintenance personnel, are five times higher.

RCC Co

Summary

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Wireless Facility Engineering Review

AT&T Application for Site (CNU 4216) 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA

Dieter J. Preiser, PMP 12/12/2011

RCC Consultants, Inc. ‐ Western Regional Office 266 E. 33rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92404 909.881.0250 Tel, 909.881.8979 Fax


AT&T Application for Site (CNU4216) 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA

RCC Consultants, Inc. has been engaged by the City of Berkeley to conduct a peer review,

consistent with recognized industry standard practices, of the proposal from AT&T to construct

and operate a new wireless base station facility at 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA. RCC has

performed many similar peer reviews for municipal clients throughout the US, including several

in the San Francisco Bay area.

Surrounding Environment

The proposed site is the Oaks Theater, located on the north side of Solano Avenue between The

Alameda and Colusa Avenue in a commercial zone. A residential neighborhood is located

immediately to the north of the property.

Durant Avenue

Figure 1 ‐ Aerial View of the Vicinity

1861 Solano Avenue


Background

AT&T is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate in portions of the PCS

(1950 MHz), Cellular (870 MHz), AWS (1730/2130 MHz) and LTE (700 MHz) frequency bands.

ATT deploys three different technologies in its wireless infrastructure: GSM, UMTS and, most

recently, LTE to deliver voice and data services. This application is for the construction and

operation of a new wireless facility to support services in these frequency bands using the

technologies stated. Details are provided below.

Proposed Site Configuration

The applicant has proposed to install antenna systems and equipment in the existing building.

Specifically ATT is proposing to:

1. Install a total of twelve (12) antennas in three sectors and ancillary equipment for GSM,

UMTS and LTE services:

• Sector A – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 60° at a height above ground of

43’‐4” to the center line.

• Sector B – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 250° at a height above ground


• Sector C – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 160° at a height above ground


These antennas will be installed at or below parapet height within fiberglass

reinforced panel screens painted to match the existing building color.

2. Each antenna is a Powerwave Model P65‐15‐XLH‐RR broadband antenna with

dimensions of 51”H x 12”W x 6”D.

3. Twelve equipment cabinets and smaller, miscellaneous equipment boxes will be located

on a raised platform in a designated area of 8’‐2” x 36’‐0” within the stairwell of the

building.


Figure 2 – Antenna Installation Locations

Methodology

In conducting a peer review, RCC reviews and analyzes site application documents against

wireless industry standards and best practices. In this case, RCC considered the application

and supplemental materials submitted by AT&T, including the coverage maps provided that are

reflecting the modeled area coverage from adjacent sites and the combined modeled area

coverage including the new site (marked as Figures 3 and 4, respectively).

Antenna Sector C at 160 degrees

Antenna Sector B at 260 degrees

Antenna Sector A at 60 degrees


Figure 3 – Modeled Existing Coverage at 850 MHz from Adjacent Sites

1861 Solano Avenue


Figure 4 – Modeled Post‐Implementation Coverage at 850 MHz

Justification for the Site Modification

AT&T has stated that the design objective for this site is to eliminate a coverage gap that exists

in the area surrounding Solano Avenue/Contra Costa Avenue, in particular as it relates to in‐

building coverage. Although substantial outdoor coverage exists as indicated by the blue

shaded area in Figure 3, the adjacent six existing sites are too far removed from the intended

coverage area to provide reliable in‐transit and in‐building coverage. It is RCC’s opinion that

AT&T has demonstrated a coverage gap in its network in the area in terms of in‐transit and in‐

building service, and that this gap will be substantially mitigated by the activation of service

from the subject site.


Alternatives

AT&T has provided an analysis of three alternative sites it has considered.

Alternative 1: 1760 Solano Avenue

This is an existing site for T‐Mobile, Verizon and Sprint and would have been a preferred site

from a coverage standpoint. However, AT&T indicated that the landlord was not interested in

negotiating a lease.

Alternative 2: 1820 Solano Ave.

This two story building is 26’ to 28’ in height which would not offer sufficient antenna height to

effectively meet the coverage objectives. RCC has analyzed the coverage maps which are

based on an effective antenna height of 30”. The coverage achievable with this height

limitation is substantially less that that available from the proposed site or from the Alternative

1 site.

Alternative 3: 1850 Solano Ave.

This single story commercial building would also place a significant restriction on effective

antenna height feasible without additional structural height increase. RCC has analyzed the

coverage maps based on a 28’antenna height and finds the coverage substantially less that that

available from the proposed site or from the Alternative 1 site.

Radio Frequency Emissions Safety

RCC has reviewed the report prepared by Hammett and Edison, Inc. on behave of AT&T and

concurs with its conclusion that the proposed antenna installation will comply with the Federal

Communications Commission’s guidelines for radio frequency emissions exposure as detailed in

their Office of Engineering & Technology Bulletin No. 65, “Evaluating Compliance with FCC

Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields,” August 1997 (“OET

Bulletin 65”). Based on the OET Bulletin 65, the Maximum Permissible Exposure (“MPE”) for

the general population/uncontrolled exposure is 0.47 milli‐Watt per square centimeter

RCC Co

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Summary

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Documents

Wireless Facility Engineering Review - Berkeley, California...Wireless Facility Engineering Review ... recently, LTE to deliver voice and data services. This application is for the