Importance of Wireless Cell Tower Locations

            The revolutions of mobile phone technology enhancements continue to irrevocably change interaction and functionality of modern society. People are heavily dependent on cellular network connections on a daily basis. Without cell phones, there would be a sense of disconnectedness from the world. This growing phenomenon is established partly by cell phone towers that allow cell phones to effectively connect with reception. Reliable reception is crucial in extreme circumstances such as emergencies. For instance, a child might be lost and the only method of locating the missing child is through GPS technology equipped in a cellar device. An elderly living in the top floor of a tall building in Los Angeles needs high reception service to quickly push the red button on her phone when struggling from a deadly heart attack. Therefore, awareness and knowledge of cell phone tower locations is important in verifying strong cellar connection strength.

            When considering the purpose of cell phone towers, it makes sense to assume that locations are determined based on certain factors including population density and areas of interest in need of signal strength. The map I created shows a clear presentation of four counties in total (Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Diego) and their respective cell tower locations. It is important to note that FCC does not require every single tower to be registered on their site. Thus, the map might not be a complete indication of all towers within the study areas. However, the focus of this map is to answer the critical question on why cell phone tower locations are important. The map proves that cell phone towers are located mostly near major highways. Also, more wealthy people tend to live near the beaches and so more cell phone towers are located towards the coast. It is a fun fact that Catalina Island has only one cell phone tower (it is also near Avalon). It is obvious that cell phone towers are built at specific locations for a reason. There are less cell phone towers in major parks since these places are usually not heavily populated. Cell towers that are located within the parks prove that it might be common places for play and recreation. Cell phone tower locations are important in determining populated areas. In addition, locating cell towers become increasingly important when sympathizing for people complaining about health hazards and property value depreciation.  Towers are tall structures that can block the view of certain properties. This is negatively suffered by some businesses. Cell towers are also constantly a topic of health issues in that it causes illnesses such as cancer. Possible dangers might include exposure to radiation. Furthermore, some people assume that radiation is not harmful because the towers are too far. This is not the case for some areas as evident in the map. Some towers are even camouflaged by disguising them as trees.

             Regardless of these troubling issues on cell phone locations, cell phones have been too important to eliminate completely. Further research can be done on the question as to whether airports are an influence of less cell phone towers. It might be assumed that there would be quite a lot of towers near airports, considering the high numbers of people moving in and out having to call one another on arrival and departure. The map proves otherwise and has no cell towers too close to the airports. Nevertheless, cell phone tower locations can provide insight on the spatial distribution of populations and predications on new and emerging urban cities that will most likely be populated by people with cell phones.