October 7, 2005

A Texas law firm said it filed a class-action lawsuit yesterday against Sprint Nextel, on behalf of thousands of landowners in the state.

The suit, filed in federal district court in Kansas, claims Sprint Nextel used exclusive electricity transmission towers to erect cellular phone antennae without obtaining approval from property owners.

"The law is very clear: The easement extends only to the transmission and distribution of electricity," said Armi Easterby, a Williams Bailey attorney.

"Sprint signed a deal with Texas energy companies without permission from landowners.

We plan to vindicate the property rights of all affected Texans in this matter."

"Sprint Nextel respects the rights of property owners and obtains proper easements and licenses for the placement of its wireless facilities," said Debra Peterson, a Sprint spokeswoman.

Source: RCR News