The FCC makes a number of datasets available that cover the various communications data out there.
Their primary GIS data download page is here: http://wireless.fcc.gov/geographic/index.htm?job=licensing_database_extracts
To download LA County Data
The LA County extract of this data is part of the Locations/Points of Interest dataset that is available for download from this site. Note – as of June 20th, I am verifying LA County’s permission to provide this data as part of the Location Management System download.
Here is a more comprehensive listing of resources provided by the FCC Geographic Information Officer (Michael Byrne). Thank you Mike for making this data available to us.
Contact
The WTB Mobility Division handles CMRS (Commercial Mobile Radio Service): http://wireless.fcc.gov/index.htm?job=md
Data
WTB raw licensing database tables and documentation can be found here: http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=transaction&page=weekly
From these tables, licensed tower location GIS ready data can be created with minimal effort. I also post this conversion on a non-routine basis for the FCC Mapping CDROM (for the FCC Booth Display). The data and CDROM can be downloaded from here:
- general info for CDROM – http://wireless.fcc.gov/geographic/index.htm?job=home
- data – http://wireless.fcc.gov/geographic/index.htm?job=licensing_database_extracts
NOTES
Also, any correspondence concerning tower location should mention that the FCC collects licensing data according to the specific rules for each service. In the case of Cellular / PCS, the Commission does not require that they provide technical details for every tower within their network. Details on what towers they must submit data for can be found here:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=wtb_services_home