In the telecom world, co-location is a powerful strategy where multiple network operators share space on a single tower. It’s not just a cost-saving measure; it also boosts efficiency and speeds up network rollouts. For TowerCos and mobile network operators, maximizing co-location opportunities can lead to increased revenue and optimized tower usage. But achieving this requires the right tools, and that’s where Shapemaker steps in.
What is Co-location, and Why Does It Matter?
Co-location refers to the practice of installing multiple sets of telecom equipment from different operators on the same tower. It allows operators to:
- Reduce Costs: Sharing infrastructure significantly lowers the expenses of building and maintaining separate towers.
- Accelerate Network Expansion: Co-location speeds up deployment, especially in remote areas where constructing new towers is costly and time-consuming.
- Minimize Environmental Impact: By reducing the need for new towers, co-location decreases land use, material consumption, and the carbon footprint.
Challenges in Co-location
While co-location offers significant benefits, it also presents challenges:
- Structural Capacity: Not all towers are built to support multiple tenants, requiring assessments and potential upgrades (e.g. strengthening kits).
- Data Management: Managing diverse equipment and operational requirements for different tenants on a single tower can be complex.
- Revenue Optimization: Maximizing available space to generate the highest revenue from each tenant requires strategic analysis.
How Shapemaker Adds Value to Co-location
Shapemaker’s platform is designed to help TowerCos and telecom operators optimize co-location opportunities and manage shared infrastructure effectively. Here’s how:
Let's have a brief look at each mentioned feature within Shapemaker platform:
- Advanced Structural Analysis - benefitting from Shapemaker’s site-specific analysis
- Digital Twin Technology - valuable for antenna installation accuracy and Predictive Maintenance
- Tenancy Analysis - helping to optimize revenue for TowerCos using Shapemaker’s automated rest capacity calculation and precision drawings (shown below as in Shapemaker automated reporting)
- Dashboard Overview - data-driven decision-making for infrastructure owners
- Batch Structural Analysis - important for M&As and telecom technology upgrades
Shapemaker’s Automated Co-location Process
- Shapemaker pinpoints all towers with available co-location capacity based on the specified location.
- The system recalculates the identified towers to provide up-to-date rest capacity information.
- The selected tower is updated with the required antenna configurations for evaluation.
- A comprehensive structural analysis is conducted within seconds.
- Automated report complete with drawings is generated.
- Tower owner’s is informed with regards to the co-location approval.
The Environmental and Operational Benefits of Co-location
Environmental Impact
Co-location reduces the number of new towers required, leading to:
- Less land disturbance.
- Lower material use.
- Up to 15-20% reduction in carbon emissions if the industry increases the co-location ratio by 20%.
Operational Efficiency
- Shared infrastructure reduces maintenance costs and improves service reliability.
- Co-located towers benefit from pooled resources, ensuring faster response times for upgrades and repairs.
Engaging with Shapemaker: Maximizing Your Co-location Potential
Shapemaker is redefining how telecom companies approach co-location. Our advanced analysis capabilities, real-time monitoring, and data-driven insights enable operators to maximize the potential of their tower portfolios. Whether you’re aiming to increase your co-location ratio, optimize revenue, or reduce your environmental footprint, Shapemaker is the solution you need.
Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your telecom infrastructure?
Let’s work together to shape a smarter, more sustainable telecom industry. Contact us today to learn more about how Shapemaker can help you optimize co-location and drive growth.
Co-location is more than a strategy; it's an opportunity. And with Shapemaker, that opportunity is yours to seize!
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