Saturday, June 11, 2011

TUCKER PATCH ARTICLE: Why Does T-Mobile Want Cell Towers at Our Schools?

Author:  Cheryl Miller
Originally Posted on June 8, 2011 at 3:17pm


I would love to see a request for the full details of the cell tower proposal by T-Mobile that is being considered by the DeKalb County School Board. This proposal is about a lot more than we may think.  The objections of health and property values are valid, yet may only concern the limited few around the schools affected. What we have not grasped is that this is going on right now all over the country, with T-Mobile just hearing "no" here and there and moving on quickly, then getting a "yes" and signing deals. Has anyone started putting the pieces together to question the significance of what they are doing and how it relates to the soon-to-be finalized merger with ATT?

There must be some limits imposed on technology when there is concern about its safety. We certainly cannot expect corporations such as T-Mobile to be transparent about their true intentions. It is not up to them to protect children. Their job is to sell what they have been told to sell, especially in light of the fact that they know they will soon be part of a highly publicized, major merger that could potentially leave many of the T-Mobile folks without jobs.
They are selling at all costs now. ATT is looking to own the airwaves in terms of roaming and thus prevent any smaller companies from becoming true competitors. It is not the right time to be doing business with T-Mobile. They do not care about their name or reputation because it will be mute within six months. And, ATT does not need additional coverage in our area. Their motivation is clearly to “hog up the airwaves” so that they can lease space to other smaller competitors in an effort to monopolize the industry. That will mean higher charges, less bargaining on corporate accounts, fewer deals, less mercy when it comes to every customer they have, including the residents in our community as well as the school system and county government.

Read more about “ATT, T-Mobile Merger Bad News for Consumers” here

Reactions to the surprise ATT-T-mobile merger are pouring in, and, not surprisingly, most conclude this isn't a good thing for consumers:  The Bell telephone system - aka ATT - was broken up in 1984 to increase competition, and the US telecommunications market was deregulated in 1996, again to increase competition. But this merger "effectively restores Ma Bell to her former girth yet allows the company to operate in a looser regulatory environment," writes David Lazarus in the Los Angeles Times. "Consumers might wonder if they've been played... Ma Bell is back," and the only thing left for federal regulators to do is instill "new rules that address the shortcomings of our failed experiment in deregulation."

Regardless of the impact on consumers, it's obvious why ATT made this move, writes Ben Parr on Mashable. Its network is strained "to unacceptable levels," and even though the company is upgrading, "it takes years to get the approval to build new towers... so if you can’t build towers fast enough, what’s the next best way to get them? That’s right: You acquire them. Today’s acquisition is all about bolstering ATT’s network and beginning the process of repairing its reputation."

We need full disclosure of the details of the proposal being considered by DeKalb County. There was supposed to have been a vote on this measure at the June 6 meeting, but it didn't happen. Stay tuned.
This is big and we deserve to know why our school system would be in talks with a company that will no longer exist in a few months. If they are talking with ATT via T-mobile, that's a violation of the law (collusion, in my opinion). Our accreditation is already in jeopardy. We don't need more scandal especially if we ever hope to get a decent superintendent in here!

We should wait till school in back in session so parents can attend a true discussion of the pros and cons involved in the offer. We should wait until the ATT / T-Mobile merger is in place so we can negotiate with the true contract owner. And, we really should wait until our own leadership is in place by way of a new, experienced superintendent. A decision this big should not be made when there is no clear leadership to stand behind it.

I understand that our interim superintendent does not want to be considered for the job. Why, then, would she allow a vote this controversial to take place now? The first study involving children and cell phones is due for release in 2013. I can wait that long.

T-Mobile, or ATT, we know and we understand. And, we don't like it. Can you hear me now?

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