DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Many telecommunications companies are trying to camouflage cellphone towers by disguising them as something else — a cactus in the desert, a silo in farm country or a palm tree reaching into a sunny sky.

It’s another indication of how the industry is evolving to meet the demands of consumers who insist on everincreasing amounts of wireless information but won’t tolerate large antennas looming over their homes, parks and other beloved sites.

So-called stealth cellphone towers have been around for more than two decades and appear to be growing in popularity.

But the issue can be sensitive. An Iowa church wants to build a tower in the shape of a cross. Some neighbors think the design will be too big and too out of place.

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu