Add a New Revenue Stream - Wireless Infrastructure Technology

[Julio Gonzalez]

As cellular telecommunications continue to implement wireless technology, they are running into the issue as to where to put their wireless towers. That’s great news for real estate owners as this allows for the opportunity to add a unique revenue stream through leases with the wireless providers!

There are two main types of leases available between property owners and wireless providers:

1. Land leases - install antennas on property
2. Rooftop leases - install antennas on the rooftops of properties (typically 5G leases)

So you have a property that you think would be great for this, now what? Contact a company that specializes in Wireless Infrastructure Technology (WIT) clients. The company should do a lot of the leg work for you including:

• Source the wireless carriers
• Manage the permits
• Secure, review and negotiate the leases with the carriers for you
• Manage the construction process
• Continue to service the equipment throughout the lease term
• Renegotiate existing leases in order to secure additional leases or increase revenue

There is a very urgent need for 5G rooftop leasing on commercial buildings. Since 5G is unable to travel long distances due to it being high frequency and shortwave, the 5G transmitters need to be placed about every 5 blocks within metropolitan areas. Additionally, there have been federal mandates imposed upon the cellular carriers to build out their 5G capability over the next two years and the carriers are struggling to meet the deadline.

In order to determine if your building is eligible, it must be entered into a master database in which prospective carriers can locate it. If there is a match and the terms are agreed upon, the closing and funding processes take about 45-60 days.

So what are you waiting for?

[Malcomb Stapel]

@Julio Gonzalez that's some interesting information. Are you currently involved in this space, and what has your experience been like? 

[Julio Gonzalez]

@Malcomb Stapel I utilize both 5G and land tower leases in my personal portfolio as well as assist clients through the process. If the leases are negotiated correctly, you can even have more than 1 carrier per rooftop. It's probably the most passive form of real estate income that I've found to date. Definitely the easiest type of tenants :) It really helped my commercial buildings during covid since I could count on the revenue stream from the 5G rooftop leasing while not all of my tenants were able to pay. Let me know if you have any questions!

[David Mulholland]

This really great information. What are some examples of WIT companies that do this? Do telecomm companies install on residential properties as well? Thanks for sharing!

[Julio Gonzalez]

@David Mulholland Thanks David! I appreciate that. My company, Engineered Tax Services, actually assists clients through this process. The telecom companies will install the rooftop infrastructure on a residential property, but it just depends on things like height of the building, location, other nearby 5G infrastructure, etc. If you have any other questions, I'm more than happy to help!

[David Mulholland]

Thanks @Julio Gonzalez, I'll check out your website!

[Julio Gonzalez]

Of course!