With the rapid move to expand telecoms networks in order to incorporate provision for the increased demand for mobile services globally, it’s important for network managers to have a thorough understanding of the infrastructure options open to them. Without the proper support the equipment may not function as expected adding both maintenance costs and the potential of lost subscriber revenue and even subscriber churn if difficulties cannot be overcome.
There are several types of telecoms towers and these include self-supporting towers, bespoke solution towers, rapid deployment towers, mobile towers and monopoles. Each of these units may come in different formats and we’d just like to walk you through the simplest of these offerings.
Different Types of Monopoles
A monopole is a simple single pole which is designed to be fitted onto the infrastructure present in an urban environment. This enables the telecoms operator to work with the space provided rather than having to purchase expensive land to construct free standing towers. The solution is also an unobtrusive one in that it respects the local environment.
Flange Monopoles
Cellular operators increasing find themselves turning to this type of monopole when they need substantial height (they can be scaled to 60 meters) and are expecting to use medium or even heavy loads on the tower. The tower is made of tapered hollow steel which comes in segments of around 7.5m and can be connected to each other using a circular flange. They are simple to ship and fit in a standard 40 foot container.
They’re also easy to modify when they’re on the site to ensure that design issues can be quickly overcome. They usually come with plenty of accessories in order to make deployment a success such as load platforms, mountings for antennae, etc.
Slip-Joint Monopoles
These are slightly smaller towers designed for lighter loads and are normally deployed on single operate sites. They are again made up of 7.5m steel sections but are connected together using slip joints instead of flanges. They scale to up to 40 meters in height and are a highly cost-effective solution. They too fit in a standard container and come with all the accessories needed to ensure effective deployment.