Much of the UK’s mobile telecoms infrastructure is ageing and unsuitable for 5G or sometimes even 4G communications. But bringing the advantages of fast mobile communications to more people doesn’t have to mean replacing old telecoms masts.
The most practical and efficient option in many cases is to extend the working life of existing masts. Typically this involves strengthening to cope with the additional weight of 5G equipment or increasing the height to add more networks and offer consumers more choice.
In theory, reinforcing and refurbishing existing masts offers a less disruptive and more cost-effective option for expanding 5G coverage. It’s also more sustainable to extend the life and versatility of what is already there. This is attractive both for masts in busy urban environments and for the many masts on rented ground in rural and environmentally sensitive locations.
Less Cost and Disruption
But if cost-effectiveness and minimal disruption are the goals, what’s the best way to achieve them? Probably not with the traditional fragmented approach to structural steelwork, with hard project boundaries between inspection, structural assessment, design, fabrication and installation.
If you’re a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) or a tower company responsible for supporting multiple networks you want a tightly-controlled programme for mast upgrades. There’s no room for the miscommunication, assumptions and missing details that so often disrupt and delay structural steelwork projects.
To combat these risks, FT developed the Intelligent Integration approach. This unifies each project phase into a coherent process. Practical design, fabrication and installation expertise are in the driving seat and a proven process backed by the learning and best practice from around 1000 mobile phone steelwork installations, the majority of those in difficult access and high-rise urban locations.
This means no risk of impractical designs that overlook clashes or access issues, no missing details that mean components or assemblies have to be redesigned or reworked at a late stage, and no missed opportunities to design something simpler and less expensive.
There’s a huge task ahead to expand modern mobile telecoms across the nation. Finding practical ways to extend the useful life of existing masts will play a critical role. And that calls for proven expertise in cost-effective right-first-time delivery. That’s what intelligent integration brings.
Find out more about how Intelligent Integration works by accessing our free information hub below.
