ROCKPORT — Verizon Wireless hopes to construct a new 195-foot telecommunications tower atop Ragged Mountain near the existing 200-foot tower to accommodate 4G communications technology. On Oct. 17, project proponents, represented by attorneys with the Portland-based Verrill Dana firm, met with the Rockport Planning Board for a pre-application discussion.

The proposed tower would be erected on a 15-acre parcel of land owned by Wavesource LLC, in Rockport, at the summit of Ragged Mountain. Charlie Foote III is the president of Wavesource LLC and has hosted telecommunications equipment on the property and existing tower for a variety of public and private entities. In 2006, Rockport approved a Verizon Wireless expansion plan of its existing facility on the land there, which is in the town's zone that accommodates telecommunication towers and equipment.

Plans call for the proposed 195-foot-tall lattice tower to be constructed near the existing tower, which is secured to the ground with guy wires. Verizon would extend the fenced area and install a new ice bridge (a water-tight cover that covers the cables along the ground) from the new tower to the existing equipment shelter.

After completion of the new tower, Verizon would relocate and upgrade its antennas to the new structure, according to the application. The existing tower cannot handle more equipment on it and plans for the new tower include 12 power antennas on the tower legs.

With cell phones and mobile devices, 4G is the name for the fourth generation of communication standards, and represents ultra-broadband Internet access for laptops, smartphones and other equipment. The latter could include high definition mobile television, video conferencing and three-dimension television.

Verizon Wireless and AT&T are going head to head now in the race to build 4G towers and get their networks in place.

Camden is an abutter to the Rockport property and access to the tower is made via the Camden Snow Bowl's ski trails and a 20-foot-wide easement that runs up to the top of the mountain.

The Rockport Planning Board will consider the tower application in November under a site plan review, and according to board Chairman Kerry Leichtman, the board does not expect the matter to drag out into additional meetings.