We are accelerating investments in critical infrastructure

We are accelerating investments in critical infrastructure

At Telenor Towers, we continue to modernise facilities for telecommunications in Norway. We have now signed agreements with Binto, Oppland Elektro and Site Service for nationwide services for development and supervision of critical facilities for telecommunications.

We continue to develop the business and have linked up with new partners to take care of masts, towers, preparation for 5G and other critical communication services.

Telenor Nordic Towers CEO, Christina Endresen, describes the agreements as a milestone.

– This is an important day for us that we have been looking forward to since the start-up of Telenor Towers three years ago. We have now signed an important agreement with strong entrepreneurs who share our commitment to infrastructure, sustainability, and security. It is also important for us to take part in the development of a robust contractor market in Norway, both centrally and in the local regions. We look forward to starting the journey and to ensuring a sustainable modernisation of Telenor’s masts, towers, and buildings with our new partners. Let the first order be sent, she says.

Helicopters are essential

Terje Hoemsnes, CEO of Site Service AS, is very satisfied with the agreement, and highlights their long experience with masts, foundations and tele-cabins in combination with local knowledge and presence.

– Our experience and expertise from working in bad weather and wind is particularly important when considering the use of helicopters. This has the highest priority for us and is reflected in the contract in the form of high requirements for documentation and security. Together with Telenor Towers, we will ensure good and secure coverage for telecommunications throughout the country, says Hoemsnes.

Important agreements

Rune Flatmo, CEO of Binto AS, is also very satisfied with the new agreement.

– We now have an opportunity to further develop our company, share expertise and build new expertise. Geographical and local historical knowledge is essential for efficient progress in the construction process. Binto is a flexible company with solution-oriented employees. No assignment is too big or too small, he says.

Stian Tråseth, head of Tele at Oppland Elektro, says the contract is large and important for the company.

– We have extensive experience and broad expertise in this area, and we will ensure that we maintain the high quality that is expected and necessary for critical infrastructure within telecommunications in Norway, he concludes.

The agreements have been settled for the region of Central Norway to Binto AS, the region of South-East to Oppland Elektro AS and the regions of Northern Norway and Western Norway to Site Service AS.

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Are Towers’ sites secured against lightning strikes?

Are Towers’ sites secured against lightning strikes?

Telenor Towers has several thousand masts and towers scattered around the Nordics. These come in many heights and shapes, but what they all have in common is that they house antennas that give us coverage for radio, TV and mobile. Our masts and towers are often the tallest structures in the area they are located, which means that the signals can cover a large geographical area. At the same time, it makes them very vulnerable to lightning strikes. Therefore, protection against lightning strikes is extremely important to protect our sites.

In the cloud cover there is mostly a balance between positively and negatively charged particles. But an imbalance can occur in the distribution of these particles. This imbalance can occur because of warm air rising upwards and meeting colder air in higher cloud layers, or in connection with storms. Electrical charges build up, and when these become powerful enough, a lightning discharge will occur. Lightning discharges can occur within the cloud cover, between different cloud covers, or between the cloud cover and the ground. The latter is what we know as lightning.

Lightning will always try to find the easiest path to earth and will therefore often strike structures that tower higher than the surrounding landscape. How often lightning strikes masts and towers depends on many factors such as climate and geographical location, but there is a clear connection between the height of the mast and the expected number of strikes during a year. With masts that extend up to 362 metres, we expect lightning to strike regularly, and the facility is built to withstand such stress.

When lightning first strikes the top of a mast or tower, the lightning will follow the structure down to the ground. The amount of energy in a lightning strike can be considered moderate, up to 200 kWh. This can be compared with the energy consumption of 4 detached houses over the course of a day. The effect of a lightning strike can nevertheless be formidable, up to 10 GW, as the discharge of the lightning current takes place over a very short time.

By having the ground electrodes at our masts, the lightning current will be directed away from the masts and distributed into the soil. A good soil is essential for the ground electrodes to function well. For example, moist soil with sand and clay will handle electricity very well, while rocks have a poorer ability to handle electricity. In a country with many mountains, it is therefore often challenging to build good ground electrodes. It is very important that the design of the ground electrode is good and that it works. This is how we secure our sites against lightning strikes, an important field for us in which we are proud to have good expertise.

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