Expanding Cellular Coverage
Connected Community. Safer Future
Overview
For more than two decades, North Caldwell has endured the frustration and danger of persistent gaps in cellular phone service coverage. Residents experience dropped calls, poor reception, and unreliable network access—particularly in high-elevation areas like Mountain Avenue. These deficiencies inconvenience daily life and present a serious public safety risk for emergency responders who rely on dependable communication across all areas of the Borough.
Background
The inadequacy of the current infrastructure has been well documented through resident complaints, public meetings, and technical assessments conducted by a municipal telecommunications consultant. To address these concerns, the Borough launched a competitive and transparent bidding process, in compliance with FCC regulations and local ordinances, to identify a qualified cellular service carrier capable of delivering improved coverage.
Site Selection and Community Engagement
Two sites were proposed for the construction of new cellular towers. Following community engagement, one of the sites was removed from consideration to respect public concerns. The Borough Council then approved the remaining location, selecting T-Mobile as the primary carrier and working with other carriers to co-locate on the tower. The selected site was found to be technically optimal for maximizing coverage while also minimizing visual and environmental impact. The construction of the tower is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2025, at no cost to North Caldwell residents.
Why Consistent Cell Coverage Matters
Public Safety: Reliable cell service is essential for first responders. The new tower strengthens emergency communication capabilities, especially in high-risk or underserved areas.
Daily Connectivity: Improved service ensures that residents can reliably use voice, text, and data—at home, at work, while commuting, and especially in emergencies.
Transparent Governance: The process followed FCC guidelines and included public input, demonstrating responsiveness and responsible oversight.
Balanced Approach: The Borough has shown its ability to tackle urgent infrastructure and safety needs while considering resident concerns.
Conclusion
The decision to proceed with the approved cellular tower is a crucial step toward addressing a long-standing public safety and quality-of-life issue in North Caldwell. This infrastructure upgrade demonstrates a commitment to smart, balanced governance that values community safety, technological advancement, and resident concerns.