For mobile network operators (MNOs), the need to densify and place equipment as close as possible to end-users while minimizing operational costs and deployment time can be a tough challenge. This is particularly true in urban and suburban areas, where zoning and permitting is often time-consuming and costly, mainly due to concerns among municipalities, local governments and residents about unsightly telecoms equipment.
Network operators, particularly those in North America, have leaned heavily in the past towards leasing space on existing towers — a trend driven by the significant capital expenditures and time required to build new sites. This approach was shaped by early infrastructure choices that favored solutions such as lattice towers because of their broad coverage capabilities.
But these traditional structures are not always compatible with modern network coverage needs, requiring innovative new deployment strategies. In an era of far-reaching network densification, Tri-Sector antennas are a big leap forward, offering an effective landscape-friendly solution that not only reduces visual clutter, but also simplifies deployment for faster, more cost-effective 5G service delivery.
Understanding Deployability
The concept of ‘deployability’ plays a central role in modernizing telecom infrastructures. The challenges of traditional tower deployment extend beyond planning and zoning to include complex site design and lengthy acquisition processes. Operators frequently face a ‘step-down’ process, where initial plans for site equipment must be scaled back due to regulatory, physical, and aesthetic constraints. This often results in compromised site capabilities, leading to degraded service offerings.
Tri-Sector solutions, with their slimline design, mitigate the need for compromises and allow for the deployment of optimal configurations from the outset. Transitioning to solutions like Tri-Sector antennas simplifies design, planning and build-out stages, offering a more streamlined and predictable path to deployment.
Unlike traditional setups, which may require significant modifications to meet regulatory approvals and physical site constraints, Tri-Sector solutions provide a consistent, slim form factor and smaller footprint, enhancing efficiency and reducing lead times.
Focus on the Bottom Line
The balance of cost, space efficiency and ease of installation makes Tri-Sector antennas especially suited for modern, high-density network environments. While achieving similar coverage and capacity as traditional macro antennas, they do so with a compact and flexible site configuration for lower site rental fees. Plus, with an attractive design, this type of site solution helps speed zoning approvals for a more streamlined deployment, contributing to a reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) and faster revenue recovery.
To learn more about the deployability of Tri-Sector canister antennas, visit: www.alphawireless.com/macro-concealed-tri-sector-solutions.