Center for Safer Wireless
Promoting Safety in Our Wireless World

 

As more cell phone tower applications are being withdrawn, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) are popping up across the United States. DAS is a network of spatially separated antenna nodes connected to a common source via a transport medium that provides wireless service within a geographic area or structure. A group of low-powered antennas cover the same territory as served by one cell tower.
 
Here are some pictures of nodes.  They look quite different in various jurisdictions, unlike Wi-Fi routers or cordless phones. It is not easy to find pictures of the nodes on the Internet, which is most likely by design.

The nodes emit radiofrequency radiation just like a cell phone tower, but at lower levels. If nodes are attached to existing utility structures, such as telephone poles, they can be exempt from zoning and permitting requirements. Therefore, nodes could be added to telephone poles in your neighborhood without public notice or a public hearing. Your kids could be standing under nodes emitting RFR at the bus stop without you knowing.