HomeMy Public PortalAboutRF Report C Squared Systems,LLC
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RF Report
Proposed Wireless Facility
100 Warren Street
Watertown, MA 02472
■
veruonv
November 2, 2016
Veiizon Wkelm Watertown 3 NIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Overview....................................................................................................................................................1
2. Introduction................................................................................................................................................1
3. The Proposed Facility................................................................................................................................3
4. Coverage and Capacity Objectives............................................................................................................3
5. Site Search and Selection Process..............................................................................................................4
6.Pertinent Site Data......................................................................................................................................5
7. Coverage Analysis and Propagation Plots...... ......................................................................................6
8. Certification of Non-Interference...............................................................................................................8
9. Summary....................................................................................................................................................8
10. Statement of Certification........................................................................................................................8
11. Attachments........................................................................................:.....................................................9
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Verizon Wireless Site Information Used in Coverage Analysis......................................................5
Table2: Capacity Offload Summary............................................................................::...............................7
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Watertown 3 —Existing/Approved/Planned 700 MHz LTE Coverage
Attachment B: Watertown 3 —700 MHz LTE Coverage with Proposed Site
Attachment C: Watertown 3—Existing/Approved/Planned 700 MHz LTE Sector Footprints
Attachment D: Watertown 3 —700 MHz LTE Sector Footprints with Proposed Site
Attachment E: Watertown 3—Area Terrain Map
C Squaed Systems,LLC i November 2,2016
Vedzon Wkeless Watertown 3 MA
This RF Report has been prepared on behalf of Verizon Wireless in support of its application submitted to the City
of Watertown for the installation and operation of a wireless facility on the building rooftop at 100 Warren Street in
Watertown, MA. The proposed facility consists of equipment cabinets and antennas mounted within a proposed
fiberglass enclosure on the rooftop.
This report concludes that the proposed site is needed and provide capacity relief and improve coverage to
northwestern sections of Watertown in order to improve deficient service areas within Verizon Wireless' network.
These gaps in service are mainly due to the limitations of the nearby existing Verizon Wireless facilities to support
the growing demand for wireless service in the surrounding area. These areas include but are not limited to
Lexington Street, Warren Street, Orchard Street, and the surrounding roads, neighborhoods, businesses, and
community areas.
Included in this report is a brief summary of the site's objectives,maps showing Vetzon Wireless'current network
plan, and predicted Radio Frequency coverage of the subject site and the surrounding sites in Verizon Wireless'
network.
2. Introduction
Verizon Wireless provides digital comtunications voice and data services using 3rd Generation (3G)
CDMA/EVDO technology in the 800 MHz (Cellular)and 1900 MHz (PCS) frequency bands, and is in the midst
of deploying advanced 4th Generation (4G) voice and data services over LTE technology in the 700 MHz,
1900 MHz,and 2100 IYIHz (AWS) frequency bands as allocated by the FCC. These networks are used by mobile
devices for fast web browsing, media streaming, and other applications that require broadband connections. The
mobile devices that benefit from these advanced networks are not limited to basic handheld phones, but also
include devices such as smartphones, PDA's, tablets,and laptop air-cards. With the evolving rollout of 4G LTE
services and devices, Verizon Wireless customers will have even faster connections to people, information, and
entertainment.
As explained within this report,Verizon Wireless has identified the need to add a new facility to its existing network
of sites in the area to improve capacity and coverage to a significant gap in service that now exists in northwestern
Watertown. This additional facility is necessary to support reliable communications and meet the growing demand
in the area.
To maintain a reliable and robust communications system for the individuals,businesses,public safety workers and
others who use its network,Verizon Wireless deploys a network of cell sites (also called wireless communications
facilities) throughout the areas in which it is licensed to provide service. These cell sites consist of antennas
mounted on structures,such as buildings and towers,supported by radio and power equipment. The receivers and
transmitters at each of these sites process signals within a limited geographic area known as a"cell."
Mobile subscriber handsets and wireless devices operate by transmitting and receiving low power radio frequency
signals to and ftom these cell sites. Handset signals that reach the cell site are transferred through land lures (or
other means of backhaul transport)and routed to their destinations by sophisticated electronic equipment. In order
for Verizon Wireless' network to function effectively, there must be adequate overlapping coverage between the
C Squared Sptems,LLC 1 November 2,2016
Verizon\\Tireless Vlatenown 3 MA
"serving cell"and adjoining cells. This not only allows a user to access the network initially,but also allows for the
transfer or 1nand-off' of calls and data transmissions from one cell to another, and prevents unintended
disconnections or"dropped calls."
Verizon Wireless' antennas must be located high enough above ground level to allow transmission (a.k.a.
propagation) of the radio frequency signals above trees, buildings and other natural or man-made structures that
may obstruct or diminish the signals. Areas without adequate radio frequency coverage have substandard service,
characterized by dropped and blocked calls, slow data connections, or no wireless service at all,and arc commonly
referred to as coverage gaps.
The size of the area potentially served by each cell site depends on several factors including the number of antennas
used,the height at which the antennas are deployed, the topography of the surrounding land,vegetative cover,and
natural or man-made obstructions in the area. 'I1ne actual service area at any given time also depends on the number
of customers who are on the network in range of that cell site. As customers move throughout the service area, the
transmission from the phone or other device is automatically transferred to die Verizon Wireless facility with the
best reception,without interruption in service,provided that there is overlapping coverage between the cells.
Each cell site must be primarily designed to strike a balance between the overall geographic coverage area it will
serve,and the site's capacity to support the usage within the coverage footprint. In coral areas,cell sites are generally
designed to have broader coverage footprints because the potential traffic is sparser and distributed over a larger
area. In more densely populated suburban and urban environments, the capacity to handle calls and data
transmissions is of increasing concern,and cell sites must limit their coverage footprint to an area where the offered
network traffic can be supported by the radio equipment and resources. Due to the aggressive historical and
projected growth of mobile usage,particularly for mobile data (49%in 2015-2016,42%CAGR 2015-2020 in North
tltnerica)t,instances arise where the usage demand can no longer be supported by the site(s) serving an area, and
new facilities must be integrated to provide capacity relief to the overloaded sites.
We have concluded that by installing the proposed wireless communication facility on the rooftop at 100 Warren
Street at an antenna centerline height of— 67' AGL (above ground level),Verizon Wireless will be able to fill the
substantial service gap that it now experiences,and provide improved capacity and coverage to residents,businesses,
and traffic corridors within northwestern sections of Watertown that are currently located within deficient service
areas of Verizon Wireless'network.
I"Cisco Visual Networking Index:Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update,2015-2020",Febnrary 3,2016,Cisco Systems,Inc.
httn://www.cism.mm/den/os/cnhdi.ns/cnlinternl/service-nrovider/visual-np.wn,kino-index-vni/mnhile-white-naner-cl 1-520962.html
C Squared Systems,LLC 2 November 2,2016
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Proposed3. The
As shown on the plans submitted with the application, Verizon Wireless' proposal consists principally of the
following elements:
1) Equipment cabinets and a natural gas backup power generator on a 8'-11" x 18'-3" area of steel
grating mounted to a steel frame,to be located on the northern side of the rooftop;
2) Twelve (12) panel antennas (four per sector), pipe mounted at centerline elevation of 66.6' above
ground level behind a fiberglass enclosure above the steel grating;
3) Remote Radio Heads (RRH) with accessory junction boxes and surge suppressors, mounted near the
antennas and behind the proposed fiberglass enclosure on the roof;
4) Utility conduits through a vertical (abandoned) trash chute to the roof, and along the proposed
sleepers on the roof to the equipment platform;
Objectives4. Coverage and Capacity
As mentioned above, Verizon Wireless is in the process of rolling out its 4G LTE high-speed Nvireless broadband
system in the 700 MHz,PCS,and AWS frequency bands,in accordance with its licenses from the FCC. In order to
expand and enhance their wireless services throughout New England, Verizon Wireless must fill in existing
coverage gaps and address capacity,interference,and high-speed broadband issues. As part of this effort,Verizon
Wireless has determined that insufficient network capacity and coverage exist in and around the northwestern
sections of Watertown,NIA,as described further below.
Verizon Wireless currently operates Nvireless facilities, similar to the proposed facility, within Watertown and the
surrounding tides/towns in the vicinity. Due in large part to the distances between the existing sites, the
intervening topography, and volume of user traffic in the area, these existing facilities do not provide sufficient
capacity and coverage to portions of Watertown. Specifically, Verizon Wireless determined that much of
northwestern Watertown is without reliable service in the following areas and roads,including but not limited to:
• Lexington Street,north of Highland Avenue;
• Warren Street;
• Orchard Street;
• Conniff Elementary School;
• The surrounding roads, neighborhoods, business/retail and community areas within the proximity of
the proposed site.
The proposed site located at 100 Warren Street C NS/atertown 3') is needed to fill in these targeted capacity and
coverage gaps,in order to improve network quality and reliability for Verizon Wireless subscribers traveling along
these roads,as well as to the numerous residences,businesses,and visitors in this area.
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5. Site Search and Selection Process
To find a site that provides acceptable service, provides sufficient capacity relief, and fills the gaps in coverage,
computer modeling software is used to define a search area. The search ring identifies the area within which a site
could be located (assuming that sufficient height is used) that would have a high probability of addressing the
significant coverage gap and meeting the capacity objectives established by the Verizon Wireless RF (Radio
Frequency)engineers.
Once a search ring is determined,Verizon Wireless'real estate specialists search within the proximity of the defined
area for existing buildings, towers and other structures of sufficient height that would meet the defined objectives.
If none are found, then the focus shifts to"raw land"sites. A suitable site must satisfy the technical requirements
identified by the RF engineers,must be available for lease,and must have access to a road and be otherwise suitable
for constructing a cell site of the required size and height. Every effort is made to use existing structures before
pursuing a"raw land"build to minimize the number of towers throughout the towns being seiviced.
After a search of the area had been completed, Verizon Wireless determined that collocating on the building
rooftop located at 100 Warren Street is the best solution to address tine targeted capacity and coverage objectives.
C Squared Systemc,LLC 4 November 2,2016
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6. Pertinent Site Data
Table 1 below details the site-specific information for the existing,approved,planned,and proposed Verizon
Wireless sites used to perform the coverage analysis and generate the coverage plots provided herein.
Location I Structure Antenna
Site Name Address City/State Height Status
Latitude Longitude Type (ft AGL)
\Vavedey 20 Church Street Belmont,'NIA 42.3873 -71.1900 Rooftop 37/43 On-Air I
Watertown E 76 Coolidge lull Road \Vatertown,AIA 42.3679 -71.1520 Rooftop 50 On-Air I
\Vatertown 8 918 MT Auburn Street Watertown,XIA 423746 -71.1507 Rooftop 45.8 On-Air
I Watertown 462'%I'r Auburn Strcet \Vatertown,\fA 42.3711 -71.1646 Rooftop 55 Planned I
Watertown 6 124 Water town Street \Vatertown,\fA 42.3627 -71.1909 Itooftop 49.5 Approved
Watertown 5 100 Galen Street \Vatertown,\IA 42.3618 -71.1855 Rooftop 37.5 Planned I
I \Vatertown 2 65\fain Street \Vatertown,MA 42,3665 -71.1856 Rooftop 50 On-Air I
I \Vatertown 615 Arsenal Street Watertown,MA 42.3616 -71.1540 'Monopole 62 I On-Air I
I Waltham East 190\Ytillow Street \Valtham,MA 42.3704 -71.2197 Rooftop 143.5/47 I On-Air I
I Waltham 6 2601.e'a ton St \Clapham,MA 42.3852 -71.2381 Rooftop [ 47 I On Air
I Waltham 3 Relo 1 \foo v Street I Waltham.\fit 42.3758 -71.2374 Rooftop I 70 I On Air
Newton Silver
Lake 285 Califomm Strcet Newton,MA 42.3658 -71.1999 Flag Pole 68 On Air
Newton N 430 Centre Street I Newton,\fA 142.3555 -71.1858 Itooftop I 71/79 I On-Air I
Newton 2 288 Walnut Street I Newton,EIA 42.3510 -71.2065 Steeple I 58 I On-Air I
Brighton Oak Sq 106 Tremont Street I Brighton,AAA 1423507 -71.1729 I Rooftop I 54.7 I On-Air I
Brighton N 145 N Beacon Street I Brighton,MA 42.3557 -71.1454 I Rooftop I 37 I On-Air I
Brighton Cu 363-365 Washington Street I Brighton,MA 42.3492 -71.1531 I Rooftop I 56 I On-Air I
Belmont N 780 Concord Avenue I Belmont,\IA 42.3994 -71.1884 I Monopole I 97 I On-Air I
Bclmont2 799 Concord Avenue [Cambridge,r\fA 42.3916 -71.1554 I Rooftop I 80.3 On-Air
Cambridge West 700 Huron Avenue (Cambridge,MAl 42.3808 -71.1546 I Rooftop I 125 I On-Air I
Belmont 125 Trapelo Road I Belmont,\IA [ 42.3813 -71.1757 I Rooftop I 60 I On-Air [
I Allston N 1234 Soldiers Field Road I Brighton,MA 142.3641 -71.1366 I Rooftop [ 54 I On-Air [
I 'Watertown 3 100\Varren Street I Watertown,MAI 42.3753 -71.1944 I Rooftop [ 66.6 I Proposed I
Table 1:Verizon Wireless Site Information Used in Coverage Analysis2
2 Some sites listed in this table are outside the plot view but are included for completeness of information.
C Squared Systems,LLC 5 November 2,2016
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17. Coverage Analysis and Propagation Plots
The signal propagation plots provided in this report show coverage for the 700 MHz frequency range and
were produced using deciBel PlannerTM, a Windows-based RF propagation computer modeling program and
network planning tool. The software takes into account the geographical features of an area, land cover,
antenna models, antenna heights, RF transmitting power and receiver thresholds to predict coverage and
other related RF parameters used in site design and network expansion.
The plots included as attachments show coverage based on RSRP signal strength of-85 dBm, -90 dBm, and
-95 dBm. All other areas (depicted in white) fall within coverage areas characterized by poor service quality,
low data throughput,and the substantial likelihood of unreliable service.
Attachments A- E are discussed below:
Attachment A titled "Watertown 3 — Existing/Approved/Planned 700 MHz LTE Coverage" shows the
coverage provided to areas of Watertown from the "On-Air", "Approved" and "Planned" sites listed in
Table 1. "On-Air" sites are existing Verizon Wireless facilities,"Approved" sites are defined as those that are
in the final stages of perm tting or construction and are expected to be turned on-air in the neat future, and
"Planned" sites are those which have either started or are expected to begin the permitting process in the near
future. The green shaded areas represent the strongest level of coverage shown, which is necessary to cover
into the denser building makeups of the business and retail areas,whereas the orange represents the minimum
level of coverage for reliable service in the more residential areas. The deficient areas of coverage are defined
by the unshaded areas,and to a lesser degree, the yellow shaded areas. As shown in this plot and described in
the Coverage and Capacity Objectives section of this report, much of northwestern Watertown is in an area
of deficient coverage. 'These coverage gaps include, but are not limited to, Lexington Street, Warren Street,
Orchard Street, and the surrounding roads, neighborhoods, business/retail and community areas within the
proximity of the proposed site.
Attachment B titled "Watertown 3 - 700 MHz LTE Coverage with Proposed Site" shows the composite
coverage with the proposed "Watertown 3" facility. As shown by the additional areas of coverage, the
proposed facility will provide coverage improvement to:
• 0.3 mi along Lexington Street;
• 0.6 mi along Warren Street;
• 0.4 mi along Orchard Street;
• -- 0.5 mi Waverley Avenue;
• 4,840 new residenta3 within the proximity of the proposed facility;
• 'I1te surrounding roads, neighborhoods, business/retail and community areas within the proximity of
the proposed site and the above mentioned roads.
3 Residential population counts are based upon the 2010 U.S.Census data. Please note that this does not include employees,
visitors,or vehicular counts in the area.
C Squared Systems,LLC 6 November 2,2016
Verizon\\fireless Watertown 3\lA
Attachment C titled"Watertown 3—Existing/Approved/Planned 700 MHz LTE Sector Footprints"depicts
the areas primarily served by the sectors (a.k.a. signal "footprints") of the existing Verizon Wireless sites in
the area, which are shown by the unique color for each particular sector of interest. For clarity, all other
sectors of less interest with respect to the proposed site are shown in grey. As demand for wireless voice and
data services continues to grow,Verizon Wireless manages the footprint of each sector so that it can support
the demand within the area it is primarily serving. In addition to improving coverage to the area, the
proposed site is also needed to serve existing and antiolj.—: d G—.&n,L:n the vicinity and thereby offload some
of the burden experienced by the surrounding sites. In that way, those sites will be able to more adequately
serve the demand for service in the areas nearer to those surrounding sites. Please note that the outer parts of
each sector footprint may include areas that presently have signal strength below the targeted value required
for reliable service to Verizon Wireless' customers. The fact that low-level signal is capable of reaching these
areas does not mean that these areas experience adequate coverage. These unreliable areas of low signal level
may impose a significant capacity burden on the sites primarily serving the area.
Attachment D titled "Watertown 3 — 700 A'IHz LTE Sector Footprints with Proposed Site" shows the
composite coverage with the overall footprint of the proposed facility in dark blue. As shown in this map,
the proposed "\Vatertown 3" facility is an effective solution to provide capacity relief to the area, particularly
to the "Newton Silver Lake" alpha sector (dark brown), "Belmont" gamma sector (red), and "\Vatertown 2"
gamma sector (green). The proposed facility is located within the area of deficient coverage, allowing it to
distribute the traffic load within the 5,.1. .............tltiple sectors, and provide a dominant server to this pocket
of heavy usage in northwestern Watertown. 'fable 2 below details the capacity relief in terms of population
and geographic area based on the sector footprints shown in Attachments C and D.
Current With Of Summary
"Watertown 3"
Sector Total Area
Residental Residental Residential Offloaded
Pops Area(miz) Pops Area(mir) Pops
Ofnoaded (miz
Newton Silver Lake
Aloha 7351 0.98 4794 0.75 /
Belmont Gamma 4909 0.38 3677 0.27 /
Watertown 2 Gamma 2705 0.19 1607 1098 / . 0.07
Table 2:Capacity Offload Surnmary+
Attachment E titled "\Vatertown 3 — Area 'Terrain Map" details the terrain features around the proposed
°Vatertown 3f site. These terrain features play a key role in dictating the unique coverage achieved from a
given location, as well as the coverage gaps within the network. This map is included to provide a visual
representation of the ridges and valleys that must be considered when determining the appropriate location
and design of a proposed wireless facility. The purple, blue,and green shades correspond to lower elevations,
whereas the yellow,red,and white shades indicate higher elevations.
a PopuLG....._...✓. a.�used upon 2010 U.S.Census residential data. Please note that this does not include any employee or
visitor counts in the area.
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Verizon Wkeless Watertown 3 MA
i Certification of Non-Interference
Verizon Wireless certifies that the proposed facility will not cause interference to any lawfully operating
emergency communication system, television, telephone or radio, in the surrounding area. 'flie FCC has
licensed Verizon Wireless to transmit and receive in the Upper C-Block of the 700 MHz band,B Block of the
Cellular (850 MHz) band, the F,C3,and C4 Blocks of the PCS (1900 MHz) band,and the A and B Blocks of
the AWS (2100 MHz) band of the RF spectrum. As a condition of the FCC licenses, Verizon Wireless is
prohibited from interfering with other licensed devices that are being operated in a lawful manner.
Furthermore, no emergency communication system, television, telephone, or radio is licensed to operate on
these frequencies,and therefore interference is highly unlikely.
In undertaking its build-out of 4G LIE service in Middlesex County, Verizon Wireless has determined that
an additional facility is needed to provide reliable service and adequate capacity in the northwestern areas of
Watertown,MA. Verizon Wireless determined that collocating on the building rooftop located at 100 Warren
Street at an antenna centerline of 66.6 feet (AGL) will provide additional capacity and coverage needed in the
targeted areas currently being served by existing sites, which will soon exhaust their capacity limits to serve the
usage demand in these areas. These areas include but are not limited to Lexington Street,Warren Street,Orchard
Street,and the surrounding roads,neighborhoods,businesses,and community areas.
Without the installation at the proposed site, Verizon Wireless will be unable to improve and expand their
existing 4G LTE wireless communication services in this area of Watertown; therefore Verizon Wireless
respectfully requests that the City of Watertown act favorably upon the proposed facility.
I of Cetitifirntinn
I certify to the best of my knowledge that the statements in this report are true and accurate.
Keith Vellante November 2. 2016
RF Engineer Date
C Squared Systems,LLC
C Squared Systems,LLC 8 November 2,2016
Verizon Wffeles_e Natcttoxvn 3 MA
11. Attachments
C Squued System+,I.LC 9 November 2,2016
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