Town requests pause, but federal and state rules limit local authority
By BC News Staff Writer
Verizon Wireless is moving ahead with plans to install four small‑cell wireless facilities along Caswell Beach Road, despite requests from town officials and residents to halt or reconsider the project. The installations, which are part of Verizon’s broader 5G and LTE capacity upgrades, are designed to improve service in areas where traditional towers are restricted or insufficient.
Town Manager Joseph Pierce confirmed that Caswell Beach received formal notice of Verizon’s intent to place the small‑cell nodes within the public right‑of‑way. After receiving resident complaints about the appearance and placement of the poles, the town asked Verizon to abandon the project. Verizon responded that it does not intend to cancel the installations.
According to the town, its ability to block or significantly alter the project is limited by federal telecommunications law and North Carolina statutes. These regulations restrict how municipalities can regulate small‑cell wireless equipment and require local governments to allow such facilities in public rights‑of‑way, provided they meet basic safety and engineering standards.
The planned poles, typically 25 to 35 feet tall, are expected to increase network capacity during peak tourism months, when Caswell Beach and surrounding communities experience heavy seasonal congestion. The upgrades are also likely to improve service reliability in neighboring areas, including Oak Island, Yaupon Beach, Southport, and parts of St. James, where summer population surges often strain existing wireless infrastructure.
Residents have expressed concerns about the visual impact of the poles, their proximity to homes, and the potential effect on property values. These concerns are common in coastal communities where small‑cell installations are increasingly used to address coverage gaps created by dunes, vegetation, and low‑rise development.
Caswell Beach officials say they will continue to communicate with Verizon and monitor the installation process, but current regulations leave the town with limited options to modify or prevent the project. The timeline for construction has not yet been publicly announced.
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