Network consolidation agreements

There has been a significant change in the way in which the mobile network operators have sought to deploy and maintain their networks. These changes are likely to result in a potential reduction in the number of existing mast sites that are required to provide network coverage and capacity for the users of the UK’s 77 million mobile handsets.

The deployment and maintenance of the mobile networks is a major part of the operators’ annual expenditure. All of the operators are looking at ways in which they can reduce these costs and the most efficient way of doing so is by significantly increasing the amount of network sharing (including mast and site sharing) that is undertaken. There are sound commercial reasons for each operator to increase their network sharing and this will remain a focus for the industry in the coming years.

The UK mobile network operators have all entered into commercial agreements to share some aspects of their networks. As well as improving the quality of coverage across the UK, these initiatives hope to deliver benefits in terms of reducing the overall environmental footprint of masts. Such agreements will also play a significant part in reducing the energy consumption of the operators’ networks.

Further information on these agreements is available from the operators.

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