COMPREHENSIVE CONSTRUCTION AND CELLULAR SERVICES
We connect your world. USA-COMSERV builds large scale cell towers and the fiber and technology that support them. Get the bandwidth you need anywhere.
MACRO CELL Deep Experience in Cell Tower Services
Macro Cell refers to the traditional types of sites that provide a blanket of coverage and are used by all the wireless carriers. They make up the core of these carrier networks and typically give mobile users the broadest range of voice and data services. Our team has the experience to help you with all types of Macro Cells.
Complex rooftop installations are our specialty. Rooftop installations can offer some of the most challenging situations in the industry today. Success depends on proper coordination and it all starts with roof penetrations, which can be very difficult, and special care has to be given to ensure the integrity of the building remains intact. Platforms must be custom-built, and providing a stealth installation is more the norm to reduce unsightly additions. Finding and creating proper raceways can be difficult as well. But with the right team managing the process, rooftops can provide a great platform for carriers to install their equipment.
Rawland sites have been a staple of the wireless industry since its inception. Originally made to serve major metro markets these sites have moved into suburban and rural areas as the wireless industry has matured. Once site acquisition has procured a lease, permits can be filed and construction can begin. Civil work is the first in line preparing the compound and building the foundation to support the steel.
Electric and Telco installation must be pre-planned and conduits are usually placed with the slab. From here, steel erection occurs and then antennas and lines can be placed along with networking gear. This can be a daunting task but proper field management can ensure success.
2G-3G-4G…and yes 5G is coming too! Technology upgrades are a constant battle for carriers and along with it comes many challenges. First is timelines, which are very aggressive and often driven by competitive forces. Next issue to deal with is maintenance windows, which usually means the work is to be completed at night.
Then you have to deal with close quarters, as most upgrades are performed on multi-tenant structures. Add a heavy dose of logistic issues created by the sheer volume of sites, and the likelihood of success dwindles. That is why it is best to work with a team that has plenty of experience with technology upgrades.
Commonly referred to as a “Drop and Swap,” tower replacements require the highest level of proficiency in our industry. In order to complete successfully, close attention must be given to each detail, and the timeline for events has to be meticulously planned out and adhered to.
The coordination requirements almost always include multi-tenants, so material management and logistics are top of mind. Also high on the list of priorities is the tight quarters in which the work must be performed. Attention must be given here to ensure no disruption of service occurs. Lastly, closeouts can be daunting because of the volume of work performed on the site. Experience in replacements is the key to success.
Small Cell Small Cell is the future of connecting the world digitally
Worldwide, the number of mobile-connected devices exceeded the world’s population…back in 2014. In North America, over 75% of these devices are data-enabled which continues to drive the need for greater speed.
Small Cell technology can address a big portion of this challenge but it is not easy to deploy. Backhaul fiber is definitely a challenge, and our experience can help you focus on the three critical aspects of deployment.
Small cell deployments can be more complex than Macro Cell and thus, more challenging. Right of Way (ROW) knowledge is critical in the planning and permitting stages, but it is the volume and diversity of equipment that drives complexity.
First in consideration are the poles that equipment will be mounted on.
Are they existing poles or are they new? Are they going to be made of wood, steel, concrete, or perhaps a composite material? All this must be worked through to determine the proper mounting hardware for the RRUs, the antennas, a coyote box, and a meter base. With the high volume of a typical small cell deployment, special attention must be given to equipment logistics to insure that timelines stay on track.
Installing a small cell starts with utility coordination, both electrical and fiber. Consideration must be given to routing so that the providers can be terminated in the proper locations. It is also important to make sure the fiber provider has the correct strand count for termination. Pole installation or modification then occurs depending on whether a new or existing pole is used. Mounting the network equipment is next, followed by ROW restoration. One important aspect is Maintenance of Traffic or MOT.
When installing in public ROW, it is common for lane closures to be a required element of construction. This can occur during the day or night, and knowledge of both is needed to make sure construction is not shut down by violating regulations. Another consideration is sidewalks and foot traffic. Different rules apply here, but not adhering to these rules can cause construction shutdowns as well. Again with the volume of sites, it is imperative to stay on construction timelines, and knowing the rules is vital to success.
The high number of small cell installations can be taxing on network engineers, especially considering the newness of this technology. That is why integration is so important. The close proximity to other sites also brings many challenges. One way to minimize issues is to have a thorough testing process. Sweep test, PIM test, and drive tests are all vital to ensure the site commissions correctly. But not all things can be perfect, and that is why on-site integration is recommended.
To have staff ready to react when a site goes live is important to the overall success of the project. That way, issues that arise can be addressed quickly at the field level. This little difference can turn a choking site into a hiccup! Accurate closeouts are also a must, as the sheer number of sites can be cumbersome if the company hired to perform is not properly staffed.
Site Services
Site inspections are often overlooked until an event occurs. That event could be a transaction to add a tenant, or perhaps a sale of the tower. Up to that point, most sites are nothing more than aging assets producing a fixed income. But the opportunity to add to the infrastructure and thus, increase revenue usually drives the need for inspection services. How accurate your assessments are can lead to either additional opportunities or a dead end.
It starts with mount mapping, to know down to the nuts and bolts, exactly what you have on each mount. From there, it rolls to carrier mapping so that as a provider you know precisely what equipment you have attached, and which direction it is sending signal. As an owner, you need to know the whole picture of every piece on your structure. Ultrasounds are also an important part of inspections. This can uncover unseen problems that could end up being catastrophic. But knowing of the problem affords you the opportunity to overcome it before it becomes an issue.
All disaster recovery services begin with damage assessments. They should be rapid, accurate, and complete. Included should be accessibility (flooding or debris), structural damage assessment, power verification, network connectivity, photo documentation along with recommendations. Fuel supplies are usually in high demand in these situations so advanced planning is important. Fuel storage and generator refueling processes should be in place prior to the event, along with ongoing operational support to ensure power stays up.
Also important in recovery is structural repair, and plans should be in place for mobile welding to occur. Last but not least, is antenna and line integrity. Antennas can be twisted during strong wind scenarios and will need to be re-aligned and connectivity re-established. You will need an experienced organization with significant resources to help you recover quickly.