Can You Hear Me Now Westchase?

For many residents of Westchase, spotty cell phone service has become a way of life.

There's the well known dead spot just past the golf course on Linebaugh. Need to look up a recipe on your smart phone inside Westchase's Publix store -- forget about it. And many residents throughout the community often have to make calls from their front porch.

Yet the community has been reluctant to install a cell phone tower, for a variety of reasons from aesthetics to health concerns.

An alternative to the unsightly cell phone towers was presented to the at Tuesday night's meeting.

"Distributed Antenna Systems" could solve Westchase's spotty coverage issues, said Alan Ruiz, of Vertex Development, a Tampa based company that specializes in installing the spaced out antenna systems.

DAS technology works like this: Instead of one big tower, several small decorative polls throughout the neighborhood are installed. The transmitted power is split among several antenna elements, separated as to provide coverage over the same area as a single antenna.

The 35-foot poles look a lot like a thick light post, and can be topped with stop signs or other traffic signs. A centrally located building would house the hub for the antenna system.

Airports, malls, college campuses and hospitals are now using the DAS technology.

Westchase would need about six DAS poles, Ruiz told the board. They would be placed at strategic right of ways throughout the neighborhood, according to Ruiz's presentation.

"Carriers for a long time have been trying to get in (Westchase) because the systems just can't hold the use here," Ruiz said. "My assumption is that the citizens would like to have that service, but if it can be done without a 100-foot pole."

Ruiz's presentation was met with favor by the board.

"It would enhance the community and for residents make a difference," said board member Bill Casale. "It's something we should look at."

While Ruiz made a good case for installing DAS technology in Westchase, the board would have to bid the project out to the public. Board Member Brian Ross suggested that the board hire a consultant to help them decide on the best route to take in securing the technology for the community. Public input would also be taken into account.

The discussion ended with the board voting unanimously to seek out a consultant to advise them on DAS technology and the bidding process.