Views of Cell Antennas - Urban and ICT Infrastructure Perspectives

As the potential of mobile technology begins to be realized, a frequently ignored factor of infrastructure are the broadcast antennas. The proliferation of these antennas in the urban environment has, in some municipalities, challenged our understanding and acceptance of visible infrastructure and aesthetics of the urban fabric. Standard cell antennas are tall, narrow, grey blocks (http://www.mbs.ie/images/antenna3.jpg). Owing to the corporate structure of the wireless industry means a duplication of the physical infrastructure as each competing company builds overlapping networks. This has lead to buildings bristling with antennas. (Seen next link). Such obvious infrastructure, in some municipalities, can, unaltered, fade into the background, while in others deliberate steps are taken camouflage the antennas. While looking for photos to illustrate this point, I found a popular article on this subject (http://www.theatlanticcities.com/design/2012/07/dont-hide-cell-phone-towers-embrace-them/2437/). An interesting question is why this is necessary? Star’s model of infrastructure may provide important insights into understanding how things become infrastructure. And therefore, help explain why certain communities need and extra push to see this ICT infrastructure as also part of their urban infrastructure.