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County moves to lease neutral-host cellular DAS at MYR with revenue guarantees
Summary
County staff recommended awarding an RFP to a vendor to install a neutral-host cellular distributed antenna system (DAS) at MYR. The lease includes a $35,000 minimum annual guarantee for the first carrier, $45,000 for each additional carrier, a 50% gross-revenue share and a 10-year term with a five-year renewal option.
County administrator Ashley Hickman presented the Department of the Air Force–issued RFP and staff recommendation to move forward with Comfors Communications Group (a Wango Wireless subsidiary) to install and operate a neutral-host cellular DAS at MYR.
"It is essentially a system of cabling and antennas that is designed to minimize dead spots, and over and improve improve overall cellular performance in high traffic areas like airports and concert arenas," Hickman said, explaining that the system would serve all wireless carriers rather than a single proprietary operator. Hickman described financial terms including a minimum annual guarantee ($35,000 for the first carrier; $45,000 for each additional carrier), a 50% share of gross revenues and a 10-year term with a five-year renewal option; the lessee would be responsible for all maintenance and repairs. A committee member moved to adopt staff's recommendation and asked clarifying questions about antenna placement (interior vs. exterior) and operational oversight before the vote.
The motion to proceed with staff's recommendation was made in the meeting; council members asked staff to confirm technical details such as antenna placement and benchmark study findings during implementation.
