Fiber optic antennas to boost Cinco Ranch cellular service

"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 have lower power output but are placed in such a way that they are not very noticeable. Because they are smaller, they 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.

Cellphone companies each have their own types of towers and antennas, said David Prejean, chief operating officer of Crafton Communications, who coordinated a homeowners meeting with Heritage Grand in November to discuss options for cell coverage in the area.

The preference is actually not to build a tower at all but to find an existing structure that the company can affix antennae to, Prejean said.

Heritage Grand Homeowner's Association board members are preparing to make a decision on whether to allow AT&T is build a cell phone tower disguised as a pine tree in the neighborhood to increase cell coverage for AT&T customers. An informal poll in July showed that 78 percent of residents were in favor of Heritage Grand continuing its negotiations with AT&T.

The next likely step would be for the board to work with an attorney to draft documents to change existing deed restrictions that prohibit commercial use of the land designated for the cell tower. Then, residents would receive a formal notification of these changes via certified mail, and two-thirds of them would have to vote in favor of the changes.

There are still many obstacles surrounding the cell tower as residents who strongly oppose the tower have said they will continue to fight against it.