Energy

Utilities

Investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives, natural gas and water providers need to optimize operations and improve the reliability of their critical service. To do this, they must monitor their systems to reduce the impact of outages and emergencies, balance supply with demand to prevent system overloads, and safely collect usage data to help customers be more efficient consumers.

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Our Role in Utilities

You rely on your communications network to quickly transmit data crucial for your operations. Now, you need to improve insight into usage, peak loads, changes in demand, distribution rates, and other factors, while supporting initiatives for smarter, greener, and more efficient resource management.


Additionally, broadband connectivity is increasingly seen as an essential utility in today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world. Many utility companies are capitalizing on the opportunity to offer wireless internet as an additional service to customers, creating a new revenue stream for their business.

The State of the Industry

 ~1,600

Electric utility companies in the U.S.1

250+

Electric co-ops have deployed or are planning to deploy broadband service to their members2

~480

Natural gas distribution businesses in the U.S.3

~140,000

Water systems in the U.S.4

1 P3 Cost Analysts, “Top 10 Largest Electric Utility Companies in the US, January 3, 2023
2 NRECA, “Electric Co-op Facts & Figures - America's Electric Cooperatives,” April 13, 2023
3 IBIS World, "Natural Gas Distribution in the US," January 10, 2023
4 United States Environmental Protection Agency, "Information About Public Water Systems," November 15, 2022

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Utilities Industry Challenges

Providing broadband service to unserved communities is a considerable opportunity for utility and electric cooperatives. You’re challenged to follow the evolution of fiber and wireless technology, as well as funding opportunities, while understanding how the options can be complimentary in network deployment. We help identify available wireless infrastructure for utility providers of all sizes to build and deploy networks, which can deliver new services to communities across the country.

Key Offerings for the Utilities Industry

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The Right Technology

A fiber-only deployment will take years. A hybrid network solution, including fiber and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), is an alternative option that brings accelerated internet availability. Utilizing FWA in rural, hard-to-reach areas can deliver internet service to citizens faster.

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The Right Infrastructure

Finding and securing the right communications sites in the right locations to meet your unique network needs, while being cost effective for your organization, can be challenging. We offer more collocation opportunities on taller towers than any other provider in the U.S. Taller infrastructure at higher vantage points allows you to reach more customers. Additionally, approximately 70 percent of our rural and suburban towers have fiber on or near net.5

See How to Find Sites in Our Portfolio

5 Based on American Tower methodology leveraging U.S. Census population data.
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Cost-Effective Solutions

We evaluate factors, such as equipment specifications and location of the tower site, when developing a customized solution to meet your budget and operational goals. We offer lease packages that take into consideration your very specific equipment needs, so our sites can be accessible to businesses in all industries.

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Operational Efficiencies

Reduce the time and effort associated with securing and managing communications sites. We offer flexible solutions to help you simplify operations and control costs. Let us take care of site acquisition, engineering, and construction management with our turnkey services.

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Backup Power

When considering a new network deployment, you must ensure your communications equipment is always on, no matter the circumstances. Our fully managed Backup Power solution hardens your sites to keep your network connected during outagespotentially saving you time and money.

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