Better cell service for AT&T customers is coming near the end of February. Crews from Microwave Transmission Systems, Inc. (MTSI) began the process of installing 12 small cell antennas in Lakeside on Tuesday.
Sitting on top of poles 26 to 36 ft. in height, the antennas will improve cell service for AT&T customers throughout Lakeside DFW.
“I expect it will be near the end of February before all the antennas are operational,” said Pat Kelly of MTSI, who is overseeing the process.
Foundations for the first two poles were dug this week (one on Santa Monica near Northwood and one on Lakeside Parkway near Henry Parkway).
Assuming deliveries run on time, these two poles will be erected within three weeks (the crews will be off next week for Christmas). Once the poles are standing, 2-3 weeks will be required for the electric and fiber connections to be made.
Residents close to these two poles will be the first to hear improvements to their cell service.
Antennas will be located throughout the community, including three in the median of Lakeside Parkway (one between Northwood and Surrey, and two between the northern and central roundabouts) and one near Sunset Point.
Poor cell service has been a way of life in Lakeside — a hangover from the lack of residents in southern Flower Mound prior to 2015.
Funding for the small cell antenna network was approved by AT&T in November 2017, after several years of lobbying by officials from Realty Capital Management, the master developer of Lakeside DFW.
“We are also petitioning to implement a similar program within Lakeside for other carriers such as Verizon and T-Mobile,” said Jimmy Archie, managing partner of Realty Capital.
The small cell antenna network is designed to improve AT&T service within Lakeside, but it will not impact cell service outside the community.
This story was edited to correct the estimated completion date from 4-6 weeks to near the end of February (adding 2-3 weeks).
Lynda Bowen says
Thank you for the update; this is welcome news! I switched to AT&T from Verizon last February when this was first announced. Better late than never! A big thanks to AT&T for being the first to address this.