Across the United States, and increasingly in other countries, cellphone towers are hiding in plain sight.
Instead of looming as stark steel structures, many are carefully disguised as palm trees in California, pine trees in Colorado, or even giant cacti in Arizona. These “stealth towers” are designed to blend seamlessly into the local landscape, giving the illusion of natural scenery while quietly powering the invisible infrastructure of modern communication.
The idea isn’t just about aesthetics; communities often push back against traditional towers, which can appear industrial or intrusive against suburban streets or natural backdrops. By camouflaging them as part of the environment, telecom companies ease public resistance while maintaining coverage in dense or scenic areas.
But this camouflage comes at a steep price. Building and disguising a stealth tower can cost more than $100,000, sometimes several times more than a standard tower, because of the specialized design, custom materials, and ongoing upkeep required to maintain their natural look.
From afar, they may pass as just another tree on the horizon, but up close, these artificial palms and pines are a reminder of how far we go to make technology blend into everyday life.
Media: Brian van der Brug | Los Angeles Times
#FutureTech
Instead of looming as stark steel structures, many are carefully disguised as palm trees in California, pine trees in Colorado, or even giant cacti in Arizona. These “stealth towers” are designed to blend seamlessly into the local landscape, giving the illusion of natural scenery while quietly powering the invisible infrastructure of modern communication.
The idea isn’t just about aesthetics; communities often push back against traditional towers, which can appear industrial or intrusive against suburban streets or natural backdrops. By camouflaging them as part of the environment, telecom companies ease public resistance while maintaining coverage in dense or scenic areas.
But this camouflage comes at a steep price. Building and disguising a stealth tower can cost more than $100,000, sometimes several times more than a standard tower, because of the specialized design, custom materials, and ongoing upkeep required to maintain their natural look.
From afar, they may pass as just another tree on the horizon, but up close, these artificial palms and pines are a reminder of how far we go to make technology blend into everyday life.
Media: Brian van der Brug | Los Angeles Times
#FutureTech
Across the United States, and increasingly in other countries, cellphone towers are hiding in plain sight.
Instead of looming as stark steel structures, many are carefully disguised as palm trees in California, pine trees in Colorado, or even giant cacti in Arizona. These “stealth towers” are designed to blend seamlessly into the local landscape, giving the illusion of natural scenery while quietly powering the invisible infrastructure of modern communication.
The idea isn’t just about aesthetics; communities often push back against traditional towers, which can appear industrial or intrusive against suburban streets or natural backdrops. By camouflaging them as part of the environment, telecom companies ease public resistance while maintaining coverage in dense or scenic areas.
But this camouflage comes at a steep price. Building and disguising a stealth tower can cost more than $100,000, sometimes several times more than a standard tower, because of the specialized design, custom materials, and ongoing upkeep required to maintain their natural look.
From afar, they may pass as just another tree on the horizon, but up close, these artificial palms and pines are a reminder of how far we go to make technology blend into everyday life.
Media: Brian van der Brug | Los Angeles Times
#FutureTech 🔌
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