The Telecommunication sector is made up of companies that make communication possible on a global scale. For nearly 20 years, GPRS has worked closely with these companies to develop and implement specific processes that benefit these contractors and service providers. We have built a nationwide network of offices with staff strategically placed in every major metropolitan area in the United States, providing industry-leading response times to meet our clients' needs.
Last year, the large-scale adoption of 5G has essentially every telecommunication service provider in the world bolstering its infrastructure to offer 5G functionality. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that our clients quickly receive a comprehensive report of any subsurface issues to ensure that these infrastructure upgrades are not delayed. We have completed projects for many of the large telecom companies in the United States; in fact, our highly trained project managers have experience in all telecom-related settings such as OSP construction, macro tower placement and modifications, ISP placement and installation, small cells, fiber optic installation, and much more.
With our nationwide network of Project Managers, we are equipped to mobilize to projects that have hundreds of sites spread across large areas or regions. When upgrading the wireless infrastructure in a major market, our underground utility locating and mapping services are crucial to preventing utility strikes and downtime.
With the increasing demand for both enhanced mobile broadband and ultra reliable, low-latency communications, existing pole structures must be replaced to safely hold new 5G infrastructure. When implementing new base station equipment, our utility locating services provide crucial subsurface information that limits the risk associated with excavation.
The connection between the cell tower and the network backbone crosses the path of many underground utilities. This problem also exists for the linkage between a base station and the core-wired network. Microtrenching and directional drilling result in risk to people, property, and reputation. Our locating services enable our clients to mitigate these risks.
Across the nation, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) are being retrofitted into stadiums, high-rises, hotels, schools, and other facilities. During the installation process, risk is encountered when cutting or coring through concrete, or when trenching or excavating. GPRS services easily identify and map subsurface obstructions.
When upgrading the infrastructure surrounding a macro cell tower, subsurface utility information is an essential component of the project. Whether upgrading generators, fiber lines, shelter buildings or grounding grids, there is a risk of striking utilities during the excavation process. GPRS's unique process will ensure you have the utility map you need to plan, build and operate safely.
SUPPORTING THE 5G EXPANSION
Recently, Ground Penetrating Radar Services was asked to assist in the site acquisition and design process for 189 small cell sites in Miami, Florida. GPRS Project Managers needed to locate all utilities within a 30’ radius around each proposed pole location. The project manager was able to provide paint on the ground, pin flags, pictures, and a site map of the utilities found with measurements from the curb to each of the underground utilities.
DISPATCHING AND LOCATING
For this job we were given all 189 small cell sites in one batch to complete as soon as possible. Given that we have team members nationwide and several in the Miami market we were up for the task. When our client released the proposed node locations, they sent the coordinates of the proposed node location along with any other pertinent information that would be needed in the post-utility locate report, map, and utility drawing. Our Operations and Deliverables team was able to create a custom service plan that addressed the specific project needs – including our final map/drawing. Our custom service plan allowed our team to mobilize, complete the underground locating and deliver a detailed report of our findings all within the requested timeline.
DELIVERABLES AND REPORTING
To ensure clear communication for these 5G sites, GPRS was able to deliver utility markings on the ground, pin flags, a Job Summary report, pictures of the site after the utility locating was complete, measurements from the curb to the utility and finally a map with that information overlaid onto a satellite image. After performing the locate, the Job Summary, pictures from the site and utility map are delivered to the client. This level of communication ensures that damage prevention is achieved and that there is clear communication about the location of underground facilities prior to design or excavation.
WHY GPRS
Over the last two years we've been helping to streamline the design and installation of new 5G nodes. Although the 811 system can be utilized in the ROW there are many benefits to utilizing a private locating service as well. Clients are utilizing GPRS to increase utility locating accuracy, faster response time, finding utility depths, special reporting, and the consultative approach we take from being the leaders in the industry. Let’s get to work!