Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming numerous industries, and the towerco world is no exception. By leveraging AI, towercos can significantly enhance operational efficiency and foster innovation. For instance, AI-driven predictive maintenance is a game-changer for telecom towers. Traditional maintenance approaches are reactive, often leading to unexpected downtimes and costly repairs. AI can predict potential failures by analysing data from various sensors on the towers, enabling early detection of issues. This proactive approach reduces unexpected downtimes and leads to significant cost savings by preventing major failures and extending the lifespan of the equipment. Moreover, AI can optimise maintenance schedules, recommending the best times for servicing, which minimises service interruptions and enhances operational efficiency.
AI technology: enhancing operational efficiency and innovation
During a discussion held at TowerXchange Meetup Americas Shylesh Moras, Senior VP of Operations and Development at Phoenix Tower International, highlighted the critical need for standardised processes: "We have scalable systems across multiple markets," stressing unified systems to optimise operational data access. That reduces customisation but ensures data can be used effectively. Early detection of issues is a key benefit of AI-driven predictive maintenance.
AI algorithms can identify anomalies and predict equipment failures before they occur, significantly reducing unexpected downtimes. This capability leads to considerable cost savings, as preventing major failures allows companies to save on repair costs and extend the lifespan of their equipment. Furthermore, AI can optimise maintenance schedules by recommending the best times for servicing, which minimises service interruptions and maximises operational efficiency.
In Latin America, energy consumption is a significant operational cost for telecom towers, and AI plays a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency. Through dynamic power management, AI adjusts power usage based on real-time demand, effectively reducing energy waste. It also facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, by predicting their availability and balancing loads accordingly. Additionally, AI improves battery management by optimising charging cycles and predicting battery failures, thereby enhancing performance and extending the lifespan of backup batteries.
Automation in contract processes: streamlining operations amidst industry dynamics
Automation is increasingly being leveraged in the telecom tower industry to streamline contract processes, enhancing efficiency and reducing the complexity associated with managing numerous contracts. This is particularly critical given the dynamic nature of the industry, which involves constant negotiations, regulatory compliance, and evolving technology standards. Here’s an in-depth look at how automation is transforming contract processes in this sector:
Automated contract creation and management
The telecom towers industry deals with a large volume of contracts, including leasing agreements, service level agreements (SLAs), and regulatory compliance documents. Automation simplifies this by:
Template-based contract creation: Automated systems can generate contracts using pre-approved templates, ensuring consistency and compliance with legal standards.
Digital workflows: Automated workflows route contracts through the necessary approval chains, reducing delays and minimising human error.
Version control: Automation ensures that all stakeholders are working with the latest version of a contract, avoiding discrepancies and confusion.
Leandro Simões, CEO of EVOLV Tecnologia, emphasises that AI adoption represents more than just a tool; it signifies a fundamental shift in operational models. "It's about transforming how we operate." EVOLV, a Brazilian startup specialising in IoT solutions for facilities and maintenance, leverages an extensive sensor network across the country, pioneering transformative services and solutions in the market. This is particularly crucial in Brazil's rural connectivity sector, where telecom towers play a vital role.
In parallel, Sol Internet of People, a Brazilian tech company, collaborates with industry leaders Claro, Huawei, and agricultural machinery giant John Deere. Their joint initiative aims to bolster rural connectivity and drive technological advancement by deploying 100 new towers in agricultural areas. By 2024, they plan to cover 20 million hectares with 700 to 800 towers, illustrating a focused effort and collaborative approach towards enhancing connectivity in rural areas.
Digital transformation strategies: empowering workforce operations
The telecom towers industry is on the cusp of a significant shift as digital transformation strategies begin to be implemented to empower workforce operations. While not yet a common practice, leveraging advanced technologies has the potential to enhance productivity, streamline processes, and improve overall operational efficiency.
Chuck Green, an investor in PowerX, underscored the pivotal role of digital integration in optimising workforce operations. "Efficiency gains through digital integration are crucial for sustainable business practices." By adopting mobile workforce management, AR and VR training, IoT-enabled infrastructure, cloud-based collaboration tools, advanced analytics, digital twin technology, enhanced cybersecurity, and improving employee engagement, towercos can enhance productivity, streamline processes, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
However, despite the offerings of global tech solution providers, tower companies continue to face challenges in fully implementing and restructuring these areas beyond digital twins. Other advanced technologies offer promising insights for optimising maintenance schedules, equipment performance, and overall operations, but the integration and transformation processes within towercos often encounter hurdles. These challenges may include complexities in data integration, legacy system limitations, and the need for substantial organisational change management. As a result, despite the potential benefits, achieving comprehensive restructuring and implementation remains a significant endeavour for many towercos in the telecom industry.
Enhancing customer experience: leveraging digital advancements
In the rapidly evolving landscape of telecommunications, tower companies are increasingly leveraging digital advancements to enhance customer experience. By embracing cutting-edge technologies, these companies are not only improving connectivity but also redefining how services are delivered and experienced by consumers.
In El Salvador, Movistar's investments in 5G-ready infrastructure and Tigo's expansion of 4G and LTE-A services exemplify efforts to enhance customer experience through improved connectivity options. Mexico's preparations for 5G deployment and infrastructure upgrades address challenges in tower density and service optimisation, reflecting a commitment to leveraging digital advancements to meet evolving customer needs.
Ted Miller, Founder and Chairman of Visual Intelligence, emphasised how accessible data enhances service delivery and customer satisfaction. From deploying advanced network infrastructure to integrating smart solutions that enhance reliability and efficiency, tower companies are at the forefront of transforming customer interactions through data in the digital age. This proactive approach not only meets the growing demands of users but also sets new standards for service quality and innovation in the industry.
Future opportunities: IoT and smart cities
Tower companies have a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in the development of IoT and Smart Cities. By investing in 5G infrastructure enhancement, they can provide the essential backbone for IoT devices and smart city applications. Integrating smart lighting solutions into tower infrastructure can improve energy efficiency and public safety, while environmental monitoring sensors can offer real-time data on air quality, noise levels, and weather conditions to city planners.
Leandro Simões from EVOLV Tecnologia pointed to IoT as a significant opportunity for tower companies to diversify revenue streams. "IoT opens new revenue streams beyond traditional infrastructure management."
In Peru, Internet Para Todos (IPT) is currently addressing the connectivity gap in underserved areas, working to connect 6 million Peruvians in areas where even 2G service is lacking. Providing 2G, 3G, and 4G services, operating as a neutral host, they handle planning, engineering, deployment, and operation of rural telecom infrastructure, collaborating with operators like Entel, Telefonica, and Claro to reach rural areas through a shared infrastructure model. IPT's vision is to continue expanding connectivity to cover 6,000 people in the next few years, aiming to transform the served towns into smart cities.
Another area of improvement towards smart cities is the importance of towers equipped with renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to support IoT devices sustainably, and energy storage solutions to manage power supply effectively. Public Wi-Fi services provided through tower infrastructure can improve urban connectivity, especially in underserved areas. Moreover, smart metering for utilities can lead to better resource management and accurate billing, while asset tracking systems can ensure real-time management of city assets. Finally, integrating emergency communication systems can enhance emergency response capabilities, making cities safer and more efficient.
Embracing technological advancements for sustainable growth
Tower companies can lead sustainable growth by leveraging technological advancements to enhance urban resilience. Beyond traditional infrastructure upgrades, such as 5G networks, they can explore opportunities in smart grid integration. By partnering with utilities, towers can support the deployment of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and grid management systems. This would enable real-time monitoring of energy consumption and facilitate demand-response programmes, optimising energy use across cities. Additionally, towers equipped with energy storage solutions can stabilise the grid and enable greater integration of renewable energy sources, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Such initiatives not only promote environmental sustainability but also bolster the reliability and efficiency of urban energy systems.
Embracing these technologies positions tower companies at the forefront of sustainable urban development, contributing to a greener future for cities worldwide. Chuck Green from PowerX highlighted the importance of "Successful integration of technology drives efficiency and growth" and the need for the industry's proactive approach to innovation amidst technological advancements and regulatory dynamics. Each country's unique challenges and strategic initiatives underscore the interconnected nature of towerco operations in the region, paving the way for a dynamic future in telecommunications.
What's Next?
The future of tower infrastructure is set to be radically transformed by the convergence of automation, robotics, and AI. Imagine a world where maintenance drones autonomously inspect and repair structures, equipped with AI-driven analytics to predict and prevent failures before they happen. Ground robots could handle the heavy lifting, installing new equipment with precision and speed, while AI systems dynamically optimise network performance in real-time, adjusting to shifts in demand and environmental conditions. These advancements could lead to fully autonomous towers that not only self-monitor but also self-maintain, seamlessly integrating with smart city ecosystems and evolving with technological advancements.
As AI continues to advance, the potential for a fully automated, self-sustaining infrastructure network becomes not just a possibility but an inevitable reality, paving the way for unprecedented efficiency and reliability in global communications.
