2017 Year in Review: Verizon adds 5 new sites, all carriers updating antennas

The year 2017 ended with Verizon continuing to add cell sites in the Reno area. Meanwhile all carriers have updated their antennas in the past year to help improve signals and coverage area.

Verizon Wireless added 4 new cell sites in the Reno area, and an additional site was nearing completion at the end of the year. The sites include:

• I-580 & W Huffaker Ln.
• ArrowCreek subdivision in suburban southwest Reno
• Sky Tavern ski resort
• S Virginia & Wells Ave – replacing a lower-elevation site across the street
• (Nearing completion) Mt Rose Hwy (SR 431) near Mountain Ranch Rd.

All carriers have been replacing antennas on existing cell sites. The new antennas support additional frequencies and add multiple-antenna technologies that work with most newer smartphones.

A look ahead into 2018 currently shows a slowing of new cell site construction activity:

• A new T-Mobile cell site is currently under construction at Vista Blvd & Los Altos Pkwy in Sparks
• Two new Verizon cell sites have been approved for construction in Reno/Sparks.