Design Goal F
Implement a more consistent and cooperative approach to co-location and co-siting
The common alignment of multiple antennas and consistent color matching produces a better visual effect.
Discussion
Co-location and co-siting of antenna systems adds to the visual bulk and scale of a facility and depending on the particular circumstances of the site may not be appropriate.
Co-located and co-sited facilities can look unbalanced and inconsistent as:
- Each Proponent’s equipment looks different. There is limited standardization of the different components that comprise an antenna system.
- Different technology results in equipment being different sizes and of a different appearance.
- Proponents are contracted to different equipment manufacturers which mean there is limited uniformity to essentially the same equipment.
- Proponents have different network imperatives and site needs and therefore it can be difficult to co-ordinate co-location and co-siting. Few sites are designed with all potential Proponents involved, and often Proponents co-locate months and even years after the original site was built. This can result in sites looking untidy.
- Some Proponents reserve space for future equipment which results in empty mounts being installed and in some cases, uncommissioned antennas. This adds to the cumulative visual effect of co-located facilities.
There are examples where Proponents have devised standard designs solutions for specific components of antenna systems for deployment in specific locations. For example, European operators have developed a standard design for street cell equipment cabinets that have been deployed along the streets of a number of cities.
Design Opportunity
- Where panel antennas are installed on a slim line pole, investigate alternative locations rather than strapping additional antennas below the panel.
- Use consistent colors, finishes and designs for equipment cabins including their installation on co-location and co-siting sites. This includes details such as the depth and size of the concrete pad for the equipment cabin, the position and relationship of cabins relative to each other and surrounding infrastructure/built form.
- Utilize consistent colors, finishes and designs for perimeter fencing and use razor wire only where necessary.
- Utilize new technologies where possible (recognizing that there are significant cost implications and other constraints) which reduce visual effect.
- Investigate opportunities for the standardization of poles and other equipment across Proponents with minimal design requirements. For example, it may be possible for Proponents to install monopoles which have two or three feeder windows at the top and bottom and be a maximum of 100mm at top to ensure other Proponents can co-locate and run feeder cables through the centre of the pole rather than strapping cabling to the outside of the pole.
- Consider the design of concrete footings to accommodate future loading on towers, including potential pole swap outs.
- Establish a consistent overall height alignment of antennas on rooftops (refer Design Goal E).
