75 Foot Pine Tree or Massive Cell Tower?

Living near the World Headquarters of Sprint, one would think they would have great cell reception. Not true. Many friends and family members of mine are Sprint customers and they continually complain about the botched service they get in the Kansas City, Missouri Metro area.

When I was a student at Blue Valley High School, students routinely turned their phones on right after school to check messages or call friends and family. However, being only six miles from the Headquarters, service was almost non-existent throughout the building and the parking lot.

To help solve this problem, Sprint is putting in more localized towers around the Metro. This is just what KCMO needs, ugly cell tower structures conglomerating all of the city. Now don't be too hasty, Sprint has designed a way to disguise the cell tower as a giant 75 foot pine tree.

The first one to be put in is at Leawood South Country Club, which is near Avila. "In Leawood and in all communities where Sprint deploys enhanced network coverage," says Miles McMillin, regional media director for Spirnt. "Sprint's first option is to use existing structures to place wireless antennas. These structures could be existing buildings, existing towers or water tanks. When no existing structure is available, we look to construct a new facility."

In this point Mr. McMillin spoke about the "monopipe," the correct name for the giant pine and the process of getting it approved.

"At that point, we work closely with local agencies and community associations in following the prescribed approval process and making every effort to build a structure that has minimal aesthetic impact. In the case of Leawood, a "monopipe" facility best fits the neighborhood."

McMillin explained the decision of putting the monopipe in Leawood because of the topography. This includes all of the valleys, rolling hills, and plentiful tree coverage. Also because of the topography it is very difficult to get in-home coverage.

"The result is a structure that will enhance the network coverage in the area and will blend in to the surrounding community with minimal aesthetic impact," stated McMillin.

"I suppose aesthetically it will look better than a tower, but I don't care for the precedent that it sets," said Pat Cocherl Jr., Leawood resident. "Ultimately all customers will pay more for a tower that looks like a tree," speculates Mr. Cocherl.

When asked if customers would pay for the overall cost of this tower Mr. McMillin stated that the information is proprietary. This basically means that McMillin is not allowed to share that information. When alerted of this statement, Cocherl presumed that it means a definite yes.

After seeing a picture of the monopipe, it changed my initial reaction because at first I was not excited. After seeing the well designed pine tree, I thought it was an innovative idea to help the customer out. Never having been a Sprint customer, this does not affect me. I'll just stay with my perfect cell coverage, the new AT&T.