Cost. Several of them are hosting cell and radio services so that "pays the rent" on the location. Dismantling and scrapping such a tower would be enormously

Cost. Several of them are hosting cell and radio services so that "pays the rent" on the location. Dismantling and scrapping such a tower would be enormously expensive and bring no value to AT&T shareholders. If they're in total disrepair, I'm sure a case can be made for safety in an urban area. The two towers closest to me are in rural areas with several other radio service tenants where maintenance is a covered cost.