Who Are The Top Cell Tower Companies?
(Article updated on March 24, 2025)
There are over 100 cell tower companies with headquarters in the United States. They range from the largest players like the top three publicly traded tower companies. To small mom-and-pop operators. Typically the larger the cell tower company, the more sophisticated their operations.
The list below of the top 15 cell tower companies has been compiled from information obtained by publicly available sources. In some cases the tower company might not own the structure, but has lease rights and the ability to acquire the towers on the property for a set period of time. Totals shown below do not include distributed antenna systems (DAS) or small cells.
#1 American Tower Corporation | 42,000+ Sites
As of December 31, 2024, American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT) represented that they have over 42,000 cell tower sites in the United States. Headquartered in the Boston market, AMT is a large company with over 5,000 employees and offices in 21 countries.
American Tower Corporation made big news at the end of 2020 when they acquired the sixth largest tower company in the United States, InSite Wireless, for $3.5 Billion.
Due to the large size of the AMT portfolio, we often represent property owners in new lease negotiations, lease renewals, and sales transactions with AMT. Overall our experience with AMT is positive and we find them professional to work with. Click here to read our analysis on the American Tower Corporation Q4 2024 Earnings Call and what it means for landlords.
#2 Crown Castle Corporation | 40,000+ Sites
Crown Castle (NYSE: CCI) is the second largest cell tower operator in the United States. They lease land for approximately 30,000 cell towers which represents approximately 74% of their portfolio. On average they have 2.2 tenants per tower with approximately six years remaining on the lease with their tenants. Crown Castle is trying to extend their leases and when they are successful are averaging a lease extension of 43 years. Click here to read our analysis on the the Crown Castle Q4 2024 Earnings call and what it means for landlords.
Crown Castle landlords NEED to seek expert help when dealing with Crown Castle.
#3 SBA Communication | 17,000+ Sites
SBA Communications (NASDAQ: SBAC) is the third largest cell tower company in the United States headquartered out of Boca Raton, Florida. The company owns approximately 17,000 cell towers across the United States. SBA has offices in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and South Africa. To review our abstract of their Q4 2019 earnings calls check out our article here.
#4 Vertical Bridge | 9,000 Cell Towers
Previously holding the fifth position years ago, Vertical Bridge is now the fourth the largest privately held cell tower company in the United States. Founded in 2014, they are headquartered out of Boca Raton, Florida. Which is also the headquarters to SBA Communications. Their website states they have 268,000 owned and managed assets, however, it is unclear what is wireless, raw land, billboards, etc.
In our interactions with Vertical Bridge they have been pleasant to work with. In our opinion, they use an AT&T lease template that has been revised to reflect their needs. They are the largest private owner and operator of cell towers in the United States.
#5 Harmoni Towers | 1,600 Cell Towers
Harmoni Towers is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was founded in 2020 and focuses on building and owning telecommunications towers across the country. The company is backed by Palistar Capital LP, an investment firm out of New York that specializes in digital infrastructure assets. Previously known as Uniti Towers, prior to Melody Investment Advisors acquiring 90% of Uniti Towers in 2020.
#6 Tillman Infrastructure | 1,500 Cell Towers
Tillman Infrastructure is headquartered out of New York City. Founded in 2016, they have grown over the years from constructing their first cell tower to raising a billion dollars and constructing over 500 cell towers.
#7 CTI Towers | 1,000 Cell Towers
CTI Towers was formed in 2011 with an investment from Comcast Ventures. Headquartered in Cary, NC, CTI Towers has 1,000 towers under its management. In 2018, CTI Towers acquired a portfolio of 360 towers from Mediacom Communications. Around 2015 CTI sold tower assets to the sixth largest tower company in the United States, InSite Wireless.
#8 Diamond Communications, LLC | 1,000 Cell Towers
Founded in 2006, Diamond Communications, headquartered out of Short Hills, New Jersey, states that they have 1,000 tenanted sites on their website. Their executives formerly held positions at AAT Communications, acquired by American Tower Corporation, and SBA Communications.
#9 Tower Co | 1,000 Cell Towers
Headquartered out of Cary, North Carolina, TowerCo is a cell tower developer building throughout the United States.
#10 Phoenix Tower International | 950 Cell Towers
Founded in 2013 by previous leaders at Global Tower Partners, which was purchased by American Tower Corporation. Phoenix Tower International is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. Phoenix Tower states on their website that they have over 86,000 sites across 14 countries, however, it is difficult to determine how many of those are in the United States. We believe Phoenix Tower may have around 950 cell towers in the United States.
#11 Eco-Site | 600 Cell Towers
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Morrisville, NC, Eco-Site is a build-to-suit cell tower developer. They have approximately 600 cell towers. A property owner contacted by Eco-Site needs to really watch out for the restrictive assignment language in their lease template. The last sentence of the assignment provision they propose not allowing the Landlord to assign the lease without their consent, which they can withhold in their sole discretion. This should be removed immediately.
#12 Octagon Towers | 600 Cell Towers
Founded in 2019 and financially backed by Peppertree Capital Management. There is not much information about them on their website.
#13 Tarpon Towers | 500 Cell Towers
Tarpon Towers, based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is a site acquisition company for major US cell phone
#15 K2 Towers | 500 Cell Towers
Founded in 2009, K2 Towers is currently located out of Chagrin Falls, Ohio
#15 Tower Ventures | 400 Cell Towers
Founded in the 1990’s, Tower Venture started out as a family owned business that developed and marketed towers to the wireless industry. In 2007 Tower Ventures evolved from a regional tower builder to a national tower operating company by acquiring several tower portfolios. Today the company owns over 400 towers and manages another 450 third party rooftops and towers available for colocation. Tower Ventures headquarters is in Memphis, TN.
What should you do if you have been contacted by one of these cell tower companies?
Contact Airwave Advisors today for expert consultation on how to maximize your opportunity with top players in the industry!
Call Us Today
(888) 443-5101
Related Articles
53 Comments
Leave a Comment
About Nick G. Foster
Since founding Airwave Advisors® in 2014, Mr. Foster has added value to over 400 clients ranging from the State of Nevada, City of Beverly Hills, to Habitat For Humanity. Mr. Foster focuses on cell tower lease renewals, buyouts, new lease negotiation, and cell site lease management. Prior to starting Airwave Advisors® Mr. Foster founded and led the Cell Site Services Group within nationwide commercial real estate services leader Cassidy Turley (now known as Cushman & Wakefield).
Hi my name is Ricky Peck and I have a piece of property in berna Kentucky the property of some of the highest ground around the area it would be a great place for a cell tire if someone was wanting to put one up I know currently in our area they’re putting cell tires up in McCracken and Marshall county and Graves county and was wondering if they would like to put one in Livingston county which is just across the river I have the perfect place
That is a good question Ricky. Please contact cell tower companies directly to see if they are interested.
Good afternoon,
My wife, and I, are already working with the local power company to extend power to our parcel of land.
The closest cell tower is 3 miles to our Northwest. It’s accompanied by a radio station tower. Noting that Starlink internet will be installed to parcel (solar powered) by the end of May 2024.
What are next steps to find out if and if so, “who is interested in putting a tower lease on our land” and how do we take next steps?
Make it a great day!
Sincerely,
Fred
Hi Fred, Please check out our article “How Do I Get A Cell Tower“.
I have a 8.98 acre lot that is the highest point in Harrison county Indiana that is border line to Floyd county Indiana . I am interested in leasing for a cell tower..
Please check out our article “How Do I Get A Cell Tower“
I also have land that I would like to rent for a Tower to be placed on top of my hill
Please check out our article “How Do I Get A Cell Tower“
Hi Nick, I have two parcel zoned commercial in Pensacola, Fl. Looking to see if a cell tower would be good for the area. 715 New Warrington rd and 717 New Warrington rd. 32506
Hi Michael, we do not bring cell towers to properties. We have an article that may help in connecting you to cell tower companies. Check out “How Do I Get A Cell Tower?”.
my dad past leavening no way to contact anyone about the royalties he was receiving from cellco partnership. The tower is on S. Sandy rd Duncanville Alabama
I can’t get I’m touch with them. A lawyer gave me info that stated they were looking for the owner
Why he is not the owner its surround by now my property on three sides. Can you help me?
It is very likely Verizon Wireless or American Tower Corporation is now your point of contact. A good thing to look into is walk up to the cell tower and see if there is any contact information attached to the fence surrounding the cell tower or on any equipment around the cell tower.
Hi Nick,
I manage a crane rental company in Delaware. How would I go about contacting companies that service and maintain towers in the area so they could use our service? I have just filled out their request form online was wondering if you knew of any better way of contact.
Thank you,
Brandon
You can contact the companies listed in this article, or contact cities around you and find out who is submitting permit applications to develop cell towers in the area.
Looking to lease section of our farm out for cell Tower. Andy’s Farms. Property address: Lawrenceburg TN
Hi Tony, Please check out our article “How Do I get A Cell Tower“
Tower installation
Hello
I have a crane company and would like to find work with cell tower companies. Do you have a directory of companies who perform this work? I cover Georgia and Alabama.
Thank you
Hi Mitch, great question. This article is a good resource. You will need to reach out to those companies directly to see if they are developing in your market.
Hi Nick: I Have a Bell cellular tower. Lease has run out as per my purchasing of this property. I have tried since October, 2021 to reach the Tenant with no replies. I am in the market to find a new Tenant. Any advise on reputable companies who deal in Canada?
I noted you mentioned SBA Communications. Your advice would be appreciated.
Respectfully,
Hi Eva,
Thank you for reaching out. I believe Rogers is a big cell tower company in Canada you may want to reach out to and chat with.
All the best,
Nick G. Foster
Hi Nick,
I would like to own a tower or multiple ones if possible. Are there ever any for sale with existing leases?
Hi Randy, to try and buy your own tower you best approach would be to make unsolicited offers to property owners who have cell towers. Good luck!
AT&T is looking for opportunities to enter Master Lease Agreements with tower companies: Colocation on towers/rooftops/etc.
Sr. Sourcing Manager
AT&T
This is true and to the best of my knowledge, all major telecom carriers have MLA’s with all major US telecom companies.
Would like to lease land I own for a cell tower on my land where I live there is no cell service or a foot print to receive any service from any company please contact me
Hi Rita, we do not bring cell towers to properties. We have an article that may help in connecting you to cell tower companies. Check out “How Do I Get A Cell Tower?”.
Hi, I am forming a company to build new towers and service existing ones. How do I get started with obtaining contracts?
Hi Melissa,
Try reaching out to the wireless carriers directly. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and DISH Network Real Estate Departments.
Good luck,
Nick G. Foster
Melisa are you building in New York. I have property that is zoned for a tower and am interested in having a company lease my property.
Please check out our article “How Do I Get A Cell Tower“
have cell tower forsale in Florida……jim.
Hi Jim, if you are interested in discussing your cell tower for sale, please give us a call. All the best!
Hi Nick,
I have 19 acres of vacant land in McIntosh Ga. that I would would lease to a communication company for a cellular tower. Can you please tell me what would be the most effective way to get in touch with some of these companies who may be interested?
Thank you
Hi Annette,
Please check out this article to learn more https://sax.pth.mybluehost.me/blog/cell-tower-locations/.
All the best,
Nick G. Foster
About mobile phone tower installation
Hi Nick,
I’d like to find cell maintenance and erection companies with a national footprint headquartered in Georgia. Looking for 1 or a few companies to service all our towers.
Respectfully
Jon
Hi Jon,
I am not aware of any companies that meet your criteria. Best of luck on your search.
All the best,
Nick G. Foster
Hi Jon, our company travels the country doing mapping and 3D modeling for the telcom industry (towers) along with site audits for the individual carriers. The data we collect varies project to project. If this is something you may be looking to add to your team of contractors, we are in GA often. Feel free to reach out. Thanks and have a great day.
Hi Jon,
I am a certified project management professional who is skilled and experienced in telecommunication site delivery,upgrading,decommissioning and installation.site acquisition.zoning and day to day management of cell site passive infrastructures to mention a few.I need a job should you have a need for my services
Thank you for the offer. We are not hiring at this time, however, we will keep you in mind should future opportunities arise.
Jonathon,
I represent Trillium Tower Development We are based in MN and have crews in the mid-west. If you are still looking for a Maintenance and erection company. Please contact me.
Thank you for reaching out. We just work with cell tower landlords, we do not do contract work for cell tower companies.
Do you have a list of areas that the Tower companies are in need of towers? I would like to buy land in that area which could possibly host a tower.
Hi John,
I do not have a list of areas that cell tower companies are developing in. They do not publish those lists publicly, or distribute those lists to anyone but their tower developers.
All the best,
Nick G. Foster
I work for a crane company in Southeast Georgia and I would like to offer my services to the companies that service towers both existing and new construction. Do you have any recommendations on who I can contact for Georgia and South Carolina Towers?
Hi Kris,
Try contacting cities in the states you want to operate in and ask them what companies are applying for building permits to construct cell towers in their city. Then contact those companies.
Best of luck,
Nick G. Foster
I have a power quick 500 ascender that I’m trying to sell. My deceased husband was the previous owner so I have no use for it, any ideas of who might want to purchase this?
Hi Mary, I wish I could assist you but I am unfamiliar with the equipment you are trying to sell.
Hi I would like to have a Tower on my Land. I have 21 acres between two county’s Douglasville, & Dallas,
Georgia. Can you help me out with this..I could use the income .
Thanks Tanya Rice
Hi Tanya,
Thanks for reaching out. Check out our article “How To Get A Cell Tower“.
All the best,
Nick G. Foster
Would like to see if any interest in erecting towers in my area of US.
Rockcastle, Kentucky
Hi Nick,
Thank you for reaching out. Check out our article “How Do I Get A Cell Tower?” to learn more about new tower construction.
All the best,
Nick G. Foster