As the use of cellphones ballooned in the past two decades, cellphone towers began popping up worldwide. You’ve probably seen them while out driving or in your neighborhood. While cellphones (particularly smartphones) have stirred up controversy over the years, nobody put up a fuss over the appearance of cellphone towers. However, the same can’t be said for 5G towers. Conspiracy theories about 5G aren’t uncommon, resulting in cases of people burning down these towers.
As a result, companies have had to creatively disguise 5G towers in order to protect them and make them less intrusive. It’s a noble goal, but more often than not, it ends up backfiring. Trying to make the tower blend in only makes it more obvious. An obviously fake tree is one thing — but the following disguises are egregious.
Barren Tree — Hundon Haverhill, UK
When opting to disguise a tower as a tree, designers will usually pick one not known for seasonal changes. It’s why pines and palms are popular picks. But the people behind this tower took the opposite approach — the fact that the tree has no greenery at all makes it stick out during the warmer seasons. The rounded top feels unnatural, and the chain-link fence surrounding it screams “Not a real tree!”
Cactus — Arizona
After trees, cactuses are possibly the most common plant used to disguise 5G towers. It’s not a bad idea by any means. Unfortunately, this example from Arizona doesn’t pass the test, as there are no other cactuses around to allow it to blend in properly. That said, it’s still an interesting sight. Very rarely do you actually see people working on 5G towers, let alone working on the facade! Perhaps that could do a bit to discourage some of the more outlandish conspiracy theories.
Bison — Colorado
Nature is a common theme for 5G tower camouflage. However, there’s a reason most opt to use flora rather than fauna. This image shows a standee in the shape of a bison (or buffalo, depending on where you’re from). While wild bison are indeed native to Colorado, the result is noticeably uncanny. The design is flat and stationary. The front legs are visibly above the ground, with the poles holding the tower up plain to see. It’s also more than ironic, considering the impact 5G and cloud data have on the environment. Still, points for originality.
Crosses — Mesa, Arizona
Unlike the previous examples, these crosses aren’t immediately clockable as 5G towers. In fact, someone might legitimately mistake them for a monument put up by a church. However, what makes them utterly bizarre is the fact that they exist at all. The mix between religious iconography and modern technology is strange — almost otherworldly. Still, it’s possible that the crosses already existed at this church and were merely modified long after construction.
Flagpole — College Station, Texas
Like the crosses, it’s possible that this flagpole already existed and that the 5G components were added after the fact. It’s also a more thorough disguise. The average person might be confused by the fencing and electrical equipment, but they’re unlikely to give it a second glance.
Brick Facade — Sopot, Poland
This example isn’t necessarily baffling at first. It’s a very effective attempt at camouflage, and even the close-up view of the tower doesn’t make it obvious. From a distance, it’s impossible to tell anything has been attached. Even if someone does notice the discrepancy, they may assume it was repaired brick. Ultimately, that’s what makes this 5G tower stick out — the fact that, to the untrained eye, it doesn’t.
Chimney — Ogden, Utah
Bricks are an unsurprisingly popular alternative to trees when it comes to 5G tower espionage. They’re a common building material and they blend in well with their surroundings. It just so happens that this old canning company had a chimney that’s the perfect height for a 5G tower. It’s also a curious relic from a distant past. Eyewitnesses describe the equipment as having a brick pattern overlaid. It’s a solid example of reusing existing architecture for modern uses. Chimneys still in use, however, are unlikely to receive the same treatment, as the smoke they emit may mess with the electronics.
Water Tower — North Park, San Diego
Water towers are particularly deceptive. They can be found in cities all across the world and are a good sign you live in a quality neighborhood. That’s why AT&T opted to use one as a disguise. The problem? AT&T announced the opening of the 5G tower, sharing the story with a local news station. The company even went so far as to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony. No doubt this was to help boost publicity and show off AT&T’s new technology. However, when you’re trying to hide something in plain sight, publicly announcing its construction flies in the face of the objective.
‘The Bird’ — Düsseldorf, Germany
It’s unclear if Deutsche Telekom’s “The Bird” design ever left the prototype stage. Regardless, the design is so noteworthy it needed to be featured on this list. It appears to be a work of modern art rather than something attempting to blend in with everyday life — it might not even be fair to consider it a disguised tower. Hopefully, if “The Bird” was ever properly installed, its cuteness and unique design deterred any would-be vandals.