Wireless Infrastructure Questions

Tidal Network is building modern wireless infrastructure across Southeast Alaska to deliver reliable broadband where it’s most needed.

We construct and own towers, then lease space to multiple users—supporting phone, broadband, emergency services, and other community needs.

We also operate as a broadband provider, delivering affordable fixed wireless and satellite service directly to homes, schools, and businesses. Our goal is to build modern public utility—reliable, affordable, and available to everyone, not just those in urban centers.

This approach ensures unserved and underserved communities gain the connectivity required for education, healthcare, commerce, and public safety, while creating infrastructure that benefits the whole region for decades to come.

Public Outreach Resources

A Local Government Official’s Guide to Transmitting Antenna RF Emission Safety: Rules, Procedures, and Practical Guidance

Over the past two years, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its Local and State Government Advisory Committee (LSGAC) have been working together to prepare a voluntary guide to assist state and local governments in devising efficient procedures for ensuring that the antenna facilities located in their communities comply with the FCC’s limits for human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields.

The attached guide is the product of this joint effort.

View this document in the adjacent panel or download it here.

Download Guide

Public Health & Safety

Cell towers and 5G equipment operate under strict guidelines set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates transmission power, antenna placement, and public safety signage. These rules are based on extensive reviews by health and safety organizations, including the FDA and WHO.

The type of radio signals used by these systems is classified as non-ionizing radiation, meaning it does not have enough energy to damage DNA or cells. To date, no credible scientific studies have linked non-ionizing radiation from towers to health issues.

Our towers operate using the same regulated standards as thousands of others across the country, and they safely coexist with other infrastructure in communities large and small.
Tlingit & Haida places the highest priority on health and safety in all infrastructure projects.
Each installation is conducted in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as established industry standards. Only certified, commercially available equipment is used, and all systems are tested and engineered to meet strict safety requirements.

Prior to activation, an Electromagnetic Energy (EME) study is completed to confirm safe operating levels. All sites are then operated in accordance with federal safety standards and maintained to safeguard public health.

FCC Radio Frequency Safety

Towers are subject to strict FAA regulations. We begin each project by screening the site using the FAA’s TOWAIR tool to determine whether a full aeronautical study is required.
Towers under 200 feet and outside airport zones typically do not require lighting or painting, per FAA Part 77 rules. Each tower is also registered with the FCC’s Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) system. Whether a tower appears on navigational charts is decided by the FAA.

Our towers are designed with full consideration of aviation safety and are no more obstructive than many natural features in the region — including the tall trees of the Tongass National Forest.

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/towairSearch.jsp

https://www.faa.gov/airports/central/engineering/part77

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistrationSearch.jsp

Towers are engineered to high safety standards. Each structure is designed and certified by licensed structural engineers based on geotechnical site surveys. They must meet national codes for wind, snow, and seismic conditions.

Tower collapses are exceedingly rare, and public injuries are even more so. The risk of being harmed by a tower failure is far lower than risks posed by cars, fires, or even falling trees.

No. All of our equipment operates in FCC-licensed spectrum bands that are separate from those used by other systems. Carriers are assigned specific frequencies, and modern equipment includes safeguards to prevent interference.

If any issue were to arise, there are formal federal processes for identifying and correcting the problem. Interference with marine, aviation, or Wi-Fi systems is not expected and would be swiftly addressed if encountered.

Yes. Our towers include backup battery systems and diesel generators to maintain service during utility outages. These backup systems allow us to continue supporting broadband and communication needs during storms, power failures, or natural disasters.

We also encourage colocation from public safety users such as fire, EMS, and police departments to enhance emergency preparedness for the entire region.

Electromagnetic Energy (EME)

EME (electromagnetic energy) is non-ionizing radiation produced by wireless communication systems that transmit voice and data. Unlike ionizing radiation (such as X-rays), EME cannot break molecular bonds or cause DNA damage at regulated levels.

EME from wireless systems is non-ionizing RF energy. U.S. exposure limits incorporate an approximate 50-fold safety margin for the General Population tier, derived from health-protective thresholds and reaffirmed in FCC/IEEE guidance. When exposure levels are below the General Population limits, the science-based consensus of U.S. and international standards bodies is that such exposure is considered safe for continuous, everyday presence.

The safety of human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields in the U.S. is governed by multiple authoritative standards and regulations:

  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC): 47 CFR § 1.1307 and § 1.1310 define Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits for the general public and occupational workers.
  • OET Bulletin 65: FCC Office of Engineering and Technology publication that provides guidelines for evaluating RF exposure.
  • IEEE C95.1-2019: A consensus standard adopted widely for engineering assessments.
  • IEEE C95.3 and C95.7: Guidance on RF exposure assessment and compliance protocols.
  • IEEE C95.2-2018: Defines signage, zone demarcation, and behavioral safety standards.
  • ANSI/NEMA Z535 series: Governs signage format, color coding, and wording for hazards.
  • OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145: Mandates visibility, language, and sign format for occupational environments.


These standards differentiate between General Population (uncontrolled) exposure and Occupational (controlled) exposure conditions. Evaluations are performed using OET-65 methods and must consider cumulative exposure from all transmitters.

  • General Public Exposure includes building occupants, pedestrians, and nearby residents.
  • Occupational Exposure applies to maintenance workers, technicians, or tower climbers who are trained and equipped to understand EME safety.

 

Which tier applies where? Publicly accessible areas must meet the General Population limits. Occupational limits apply only in controlled work areas and only when trained personnel follow RF safety procedures (e.g., training, use of RF personal monitors, and—if needed—temporary power reductions, lockout/tagout, or scheduled deactivation).

Under normal conditions:

  • Ground-level exposure from a rooftop or tower-mounted antennas is negligible due to mounting height and directional beam patterns.
  • Areas directly in front of antennas (near-field/boresight) may have higher fields; safe distances are set by antenna-specific modeling/labels.


Theoretical case reference: 

  • For the attached theoretical case, Waterford’s worst-case modeling indicates no hazardous conditions in publicly accessible areas and no mitigation required.
 

RF signage and access controls are required only where an accessible area could exceed 100% of the FCC General Population MPE; otherwise, RF signage is not required. Evaluations must consider cumulative exposure from all transmitters. 

  • Blue Notice Signs: Informational; EME sources present but exposure is safe.
  • Yellow Caution Signs: May exceed General Population limit; access restricted to trained personnel.
  • Red Warning Signs: May exceed Occupational limits; PPE and lockout/tagout may be required.
 
 
Signage Standards
Must comply with ANSI Z535.2, IEEE C95.2-2018, and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145.
 
Signs must be legible at the boundary of any area where the General Population limit could be exceeded, consistent with OSHA; minimum character sizes should follow ANSI Z535 guidance for viewing distance.
 
Signage must include:
  • RF energy advisory symbol
  • Hazard tier (Notice, Caution, Warning)
  • Safe behavior instructions (e.g., minimum distance, deactivation procedures)
  • Contact information for RF compliance coordination
 
 
Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Compliance Framework Summary
  1. Introduction:
    • This provides a general overview of EME safety and compliance for telecommunications infrastructure and is supported by a General Theoretical Analysis conducted by Waterford Consultants (April 1, 2025), using FCC OET-65 worst-case predictive modeling.
  2. Regulatory Framework:
    • The safety of human exposure to RF electromagnetic fields in the U.S. is governed by:
      • FCC: 47 CFR §1.1307 and §1.1310 (MPE limits)
      • OET Bulletin 65: FCC exposure evaluation guidelines
      • IEEE C95.1-2019, C95.2-2018, C95.3, C95.7: Industry standards for safety and compliance
      • ANSI/NEMA Z535: Signage format and hazard standards
      • OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145: Occupational signage requirements
  3. Exposure Tiers:
    • General Public Exposure: Applies to nearby residents and accessible public areas.
    • Occupational Exposure: Applies only to trained technicians equipped with RF monitors and safety training.
  4. Signage Requirements:
    • RF signage and access controls are required only where accessible areas could exceed 100% of the General Population limit.
      • Blue Notice Signs: Informational — safe exposure levels.
      • Yellow Caution Signs: Restricted to trained personnel.
      • Red Warning Signs: Occupational-only areas — PPE and lockout procedures required.
 

Local Governance & Oversight

Tidal Network designs and operates sites so public areas remain within FCC General Population limits. We do this through a three-stage verification cycle used at launch and repeat any time conditions change.

  1. Initial theoretical engineering study (Worst-case modeling)
  2. Final engineering study (As-built modeling)
  3. Post-installation field testing (Third-party field testing of publicly accessible areas)

 

In the unlikely event FCC limits were exceeded, Tidal Network will issue a cease of operations notice to the tenants imposing the issue and will coordinate with the FCC to address applicable financial and operational penalties.

Public areas will not remain above FCC limits. If a future issue is detected, operations are curtailed first, a corrective plan is executed, and compliance is independently re-verified prior to returning to normal service.

Most communities have zoning rules that define towers as a permitted or conditional use. When we apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or variance, we are not asking for permission to build a tower in general — we are asking for permission to exceed a height limit or adjust siting conditions.

Our requested height is based on RF modeling and terrain, not preference. Reliable service requires enough height to clear vegetation and hills. While public comment is important, local land use decisions are ultimately governed by code, not popularity.

Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, local governments retain authority over tower placement, construction, and modification, but they cannot “prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting” wireless service. In other words, a community can impose reasonable conditions, but it cannot reject infrastructure simply because it is unpopular.

  • Federal Law: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TCA)
    Local control remains: Cities and boroughs can regulate tower siting through zoning, permitting, and reasonable conditions.
  • But limits apply: Local governments cannot pass rules or make decisions that prohibit or effectively block wireless service.
  • Decisions must be based on code: Denials must follow zoning rules and be supported by evidence, not just general opposition.
  • Health concerns are preempted: As long as a tower complies with FCC standards for radio frequency safety, local governments cannot reject it on health grounds.
  • Fair process required: The TCA requires timely review of applications and prohibits unreasonable delays.

Bottom line: The TCA balances community input with the federal requirement to ensure reliable, nationwide wireless service.

https://www.fcc.gov/general/telecommunications-act-1996

Towers are among the most regulated types of infrastructure. Before construction, we must complete a federal environmental clearance process National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which includes review by State Historic Preservations Office (SHPO) and tribal cultural offices.

Designs are produced by licensed professional engineers and stamped for compliance. Towers must meet strict codes and are built based on site-specific surveys. They are also inspected and maintained throughout their life cycle.

Public safety and long-term performance are central to every tower we build.

Other commercial users lease space on our towers and provide services like phone or TV More importantly, towers bring essential connectivity that supports education, healthcare, public safety, and local economic development.

We comply with all federal, state, and local requirements, best practices, industry standards, and safety regulations. Every site has an independent EME (Electromagnetic Energy) study, and we use standard, commercially available equipment that’s widely deployed and well regulated. T&H would never implement a program that causes negative health consequences.

Our commitment is simple: we will always operate well within FCC public safety limits. We have a multi- layered plan to guarantee this.

  1. Proactive Safety by Design: Before the tower is even turned on, an independent, third-party engineering firm runs a comprehensive computer model of the site. This model includes the signals from all potential tenants and confirms that the combined signal levels at any publicly accessible location, including the childcare center, sidewalks, and nearby homes—remain far below the general public limit.
  2. Continuous Verification and Monitoring: As soon as the site goes live, we verify the model’s accuracy with on-the-ground, real-world measurements using calibrated equipment. We also have a clear, posted RF safety plan on site.
  3. Immediate Corrective Action Plan: In the extremely unlikely event that any measurement was to approach the public safety limit, we have a strict, immediate protocol. We can remotely reduce power, physically tilt the antennas to direct signals more precisely downward, and if necessary, disable a specific carrier’s service. Our contracts with all tenants legally require their full cooperation, and repeated non-compliance results in suspension of their service until the issue is resolved and retested.

 

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau is responsible for making sure carriers and site owners comply with RF exposure limits. These limits are set out in federal law (47 CFR § 1.1310) and are among the most conservative in the world. If a site ever exceeds them, the FCC can require immediate corrective action, fine the operator, or even shut down transmissions until compliance is restored.

Aesthetics, Property Values & Zoning

Wireless service is needed everywhere people live — not just in commercial districts. Placing towers only in industrial areas would leave many neighborhoods underserved.

There is no consistent evidence that towers harm property values. In fact, having access to strong wireless and broadband can improve a property’s desirability.

While towers may not be visually preferred, they are no different from other utilities such as power lines or water tanks — they are part of modern community infrastructure.

Camouflaged towers are available but come with trade-offs. ‘Mono-pines’ and other faux designs are more expensive, have higher wind/snow loading, and offer less antenna capacity.

Ironically, their unnatural appearance often makes them more noticeable — not less. Our galvanized steel towers naturally weather to a dull gray and visually recede into the background. We also preserve surrounding vegetation to help screen the site.

During construction, there will be some activity — similar to building a house. But once completed, the tower is unmanned. Maintenance visits are infrequent — only a few times per year.

There are no residents, no regular staff, no traffic. Compared to typical neighbors, towers are quiet and self-contained. They do not generate noise, light, or activity once operational.

Technical & Economic Justification

Wireless networks need more infrastructure as technology and usage grow. 5G and high-bandwidth services require more towers to serve users reliably.

We choose locations where existing coverage is lacking or weak. Building our own towers helps us avoid long-term leasing costs and gives us control over service quality and expansion.

T&H first investigates the potential to co-locate on existing towers. However, in many cases, long-term lease rates are not financially sustainable for the Tribe, or older towers lack the structural capacity for modern multi-tenant equipment.

Building our own towers ensures:

  • Better coverage and reliability: Designed to fix service gaps while maintaining low power levels.
  • Community benefit: Engineered for long-term use, supporting multiple carriers and emergency services.
  • Future-proof design: Built to the latest safety standards and resilient to wind, snow, and seismic conditions.
  • Financial sustainability: Reduces long-term dependency on private infrastructure leases.


Grant-Funded Competition
This isn’t “government competition.” It’s a federal grant program — the same kind of funding GCI, APT, and others apply for and receive.

GCI and APT received BEAD and USDA ReConnect grants. T&H received Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) grants. The goal is identical: get broadband to people who still don’t have it.

The difference is that T&H, as a tribal government, is building broadband for public good, not profit.
These funds are used to serve unserved and underserved residents, ensuring equitable access and community control of essential infrastructure.

Learn more about Tidal Network's community outreach

Community Outreach Events

  • Klawock
  • December 8, 2025
  • Generations Southeast
  • 6:00 pm
JOIN MEETING
  • Craig
  • December 9, 2025
  • Craig Tribal Association Hall
  • 6:00 pm
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  • Kasaan
  • December 10, 2025
  • Totem Trail Café
  • 5:00 pm
JOIN MEETING
  • Hydaburg
  • December 11, 2025
  • Hala Café
  • 5:00 pm
JOIN MEETING
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