Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Where are the Antennas located that were placed in 2009?
1. Where are the Antennas located that were placed in 2009?
This is the initial list of TOH Antenna locations as of 2009. Most of these antennas are now up and active, installed by a company called NextG to provide service for MetroPCS.
| list_of_nextg_nodes1.pdf |
2. Isn't it true that installing more antennas lessens radiation overall because each antenna would need to give out less power to reach it's customers?
That is one of the arguments being used by the cell phone companies. In our case, however, many of the new antennas installed are not working with other antennas in our area. They are ONLY for the use of specific companies such as MetroPCS. In order for MetroPCS to come into our area, they need to install antennas to use with their phone system. The more companies that do this, the more antennas we will have, and the more radiation will be put into our environment.
3. Aren't these antennas proven to be safe?
It is our understanding only that they are not yet proven to be dangerous, which is really not the same thing. If you look at the explosion of cell phone, antennas, and usage over the past decade, it is easy to see that they have not been around long enough in high enough numbers to allow for an adequate amount of long-term studies. What studies do exist have been contoversial in nature, with some experts stating that they are safe, and others indicating that there are health risks involved, especially for children. In fact, the Newsday article of Friday, Sept. 24, 2010 mentions that "Research to date indicates they pose no danger to people when operated according to federal safety standards...A major federal study is under way to confirm that." Shouldn't this have been confirmed prior to creating these infrastructures all over the country?
Some of our concerns include the potential cumulative effects of exposure to these antennas. For instance, having one x-ray may be essentially safe, but what if one were to have an x-ray every day? Do we know the long-term effects (20-30 years) of being around these antennas day in and day out?
4. Isn't the town's reaction going to prevent us from having adequate wireless coverage?
It is our understanding that the town is not preventing antennas from being installed, but requiring permits. In order for antennas to be installed, especially near homes, schools, or places of worship, the companies need to show that there is a need and that other locations have been considered. Unfortunately, at this time, the town has exempted the antennas that were placed prior to the ordinance, leaving many schools and homes still situated next to active cellular antennas.
5. How can you say you want better reception and you want to block the antennas?
Actually, we have never stated that we want better cell reception. That being said, the thought that more antennas provide better reception is a myth. As stated earlier, many of the new antennas that have been coming in do not actually give most of us better reception, they are for the purpose of allowing more companies to bring their business to Long Island. The 135 antennas installed in Merrick in 2009 do nothing to enhance your reception unless you have MetroPCS. This is the same for the antennas that T-Mobile is proposing.
It is also a myth that we are looking to block cell antennas. We have asked the town to regulate them and to give appropriate notice to the community before they are placed. Anyone who lives here and pays taxes has always needed to do the same thing if they want to add a structure or extension to their home.
That is one of the arguments being used by the cell phone companies. In our case, however, many of the new antennas installed are not working with other antennas in our area. They are ONLY for the use of specific companies such as MetroPCS. In order for MetroPCS to come into our area, they need to install antennas to use with their phone system. The more companies that do this, the more antennas we will have, and the more radiation will be put into our environment.
3. Aren't these antennas proven to be safe?
It is our understanding only that they are not yet proven to be dangerous, which is really not the same thing. If you look at the explosion of cell phone, antennas, and usage over the past decade, it is easy to see that they have not been around long enough in high enough numbers to allow for an adequate amount of long-term studies. What studies do exist have been contoversial in nature, with some experts stating that they are safe, and others indicating that there are health risks involved, especially for children. In fact, the Newsday article of Friday, Sept. 24, 2010 mentions that "Research to date indicates they pose no danger to people when operated according to federal safety standards...A major federal study is under way to confirm that." Shouldn't this have been confirmed prior to creating these infrastructures all over the country?
Some of our concerns include the potential cumulative effects of exposure to these antennas. For instance, having one x-ray may be essentially safe, but what if one were to have an x-ray every day? Do we know the long-term effects (20-30 years) of being around these antennas day in and day out?
4. Isn't the town's reaction going to prevent us from having adequate wireless coverage?
It is our understanding that the town is not preventing antennas from being installed, but requiring permits. In order for antennas to be installed, especially near homes, schools, or places of worship, the companies need to show that there is a need and that other locations have been considered. Unfortunately, at this time, the town has exempted the antennas that were placed prior to the ordinance, leaving many schools and homes still situated next to active cellular antennas.
5. How can you say you want better reception and you want to block the antennas?
Actually, we have never stated that we want better cell reception. That being said, the thought that more antennas provide better reception is a myth. As stated earlier, many of the new antennas that have been coming in do not actually give most of us better reception, they are for the purpose of allowing more companies to bring their business to Long Island. The 135 antennas installed in Merrick in 2009 do nothing to enhance your reception unless you have MetroPCS. This is the same for the antennas that T-Mobile is proposing.
It is also a myth that we are looking to block cell antennas. We have asked the town to regulate them and to give appropriate notice to the community before they are placed. Anyone who lives here and pays taxes has always needed to do the same thing if they want to add a structure or extension to their home.
