Crown Castle, an independent owner and operator of wireless infrastructure, has begun to install a series of fiber optic antennas as a part of a distributed antenna system designed to boost cell phone reception in Cinco Ranch.

The company holds a Service Provider of Operating Authority certificate from the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Last year, Crown Castle entered into an agreement with Verizon Wireless to install the fiber optic antennas as a method of improving cellular service and coverage without building a tower.

Verizon spokeswoman Gretchen LeJeune Whitaker said towers and distributed antenna systems provide the same level of service. The company uses a variety of infrastructure to deliver wireless service to an area, she said, choosing the infrastructure that best fits a particular situation and location's needs.

"It's the same service, the same performance," she said. "There are many methods we use to get coverage. We use small cells, we use DAS systems, we use towers. It depends on the situation."

Cinco Ranch deed restrictions limit the ability of cellular providers and telecommunications companies to build towers. The antennas, which are much smaller, can be fixed to utility poles and street lights and disguised as street signs, cacti or boulders.

The antennas will deliver XLTE, or enhanced LTE data to Verizon customers, Whitaker said.

"It's going to allow us to increase both the coverage and capacity for our customers in the area, so it's a win-win," she said.

Because the distributed antenna system is owned by Crown Castle, other carriers in addition to Verizon could enter into contracts to take advantage of the system as well, Whitaker said.